2016, Volume 12
Predictors of children´s successful defence against adult attacker
Michal Vit1, Zdenko Reguli1, Martin Sebera1, Jitka Čihounková1, Martin Bugala1
1Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Author for correspondence: Michal Vit; Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; email: michal.vit[at]gmail.com
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: The paper is based on the presumption that the probability of successful defence of a child against an adult attacker is influenced by diversity of variables with different predictive values. The aim of the study are the best predictors and their presumably impact on children’s chance to defend themselves.
Material and Methods: The research sample consisted of 48 students (40 female, 8 male) from three secondary schools. The average age was 16.6 years. Six self-defence experts performed ex-post evaluation of each video recorded scenario. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, classification trees C&RT and logistic regression were used for analysis.
Results: Correlation between increasing personal score obtained by evaluation of selected criteria and the probability of a successful defence was confirmed by the high correlation rs = 0.735 significance level of p<0.05. Active defence, escape and technical means respectively, were found the best predictors out of the total number of six evaluation criteria. Communication and safe distance keeping varied in the fifth position depending on the selected statistical method. Guard position was found the weakest predictor.
Conclusions: There are 13.88 times higher odds of successful defence when children are dealing with an adult attacker actively. The activity should be aimed at looking for an escape route as there are 7.69 times higher odds of successful defence when the child is trying to escape. Finally, there are 3.75 times higher odds of successful defence when the child uses appropriate technical means to distract attacker’s attention.
Key words: combatives, defensive action, fighting skills, physical education, self-defence, self-protection, protective strategy, victimology