Karate-Do as a Means to Implement Humanistic Approach in Sports Education

The current research presents the study of the pupils' emotional sphere dynamics during traditional Karate-Do classes organized according to a special programme at the beginning and at the end of the course. Specially organised classes foster pupils' emotional well-being and enrich their subjective experience. Eighty participants ranging from 14 to 15 years old adolescents took part in this study. They were divided into two groups: 1) Sport Karate (controlled) and 2) Traditional Karate-Do (experimental). As part of the study, Traditional Karate-Do classes were organised for adolescents from the experimental group. Doskin's test, Feeling. Activity. Mood." was used to capture the participants' emotional states. It has been statistically proved that during the traditional Karate-Do classes the pupils' emotional state has improved. Statistically significant differences in evaluating pupils' mood and feelings have been found before and after the traditional Karate-Do classes. In general, the emotional changes have been positive, which indicates the existence of participants' emotional well-being. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.