Not long ago professor Dan Olweus of the university in Bergen was in the media about his latest article, on violence levels in kids participating in power sports (weights lifting etc) and fighting sports (boxing, tae kwon doe etc). It turned out that yes, kids who practice these sports have much higher levels of agressive, violent and antisocial behaviour than other kids at their age.
What was really interesting though, and scary, is that the researchers supposed there was an element of self-selection involved, with agressive kids being more attracted to agressive sports. However, when they started, the kids were no more agressive than average. Looks like all that talk about self-control and discipline may be just that - talk.
The boxing milieu in Norway have rejected the findings, of course. Just like Carl I. Hagen rejects alcohol research and climate science. And just like the Lancet study deniers that Tim Lambert catalogues.
However, all hope is not lost. While the boxing people reject the results, there are some hints of introspection at their site, and they (with Olweus' permission) have posted the whole research article, which according to Olweus is going to be published in a major medical journal in May.
Here's The article in scanned pdf format. In english. Enjoy.
Posted by vintermann at March 10, 2005 07:05 PM