The Desire to Train: A Motivational Profile of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Players

Combat sports, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, require intense physical, mental, and emotional tasking within its training. With the degree of difficulty ingrained within the sport, as well as the performance-focused climate that this sport may be practiced within, many participants that once were intrigued by the sport may lose this interest and enjoyment if their goals are not met. This leads to much interest into what factors drive the motivation of those that continue to participate within Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The purpose of this study is to develop a motivational profile of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players. 216 participants from 25 varying in level of participation and years of experience within Brazilian Jiu Jitsu completed a survey to assess the factors that most influenced their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu participation. Data analyses found that participants valued the motivators of interest/enjoyment, competence, and fitness relatively higher than the motivators of social and appearance. Data analyses also found that that there is a significant effect of competence on years of experience and level of participation. Findings from this study could aid coaches, sport clinicians, and sport psychologists in working with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players by focusing their training on the motivators that are most appealing to the player.