Investigation of stress and motivation levels in wushu kung fu athletes

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the coping mechanisms for stress and the levels of achievement motivation among Wushu Kung-Fu athletes. Material and Method: In this study, the relational survey model with a descriptive nature, one of the quantitative research methods, was used. The study population consists of athletes from sports clubs within the Turkish Wushu Kung Fu Federation. The sample group consists of a total of 495 licensed athletes, 249 women and 246 men, aged 18 and over, determined through a random sampling method from the population. "The Stress Coping Methods Scale" and the "Sports-Specific Achievement Motivation Scale" were used as data collection tools in the study. Statistical analyses in the study included the Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's multiple comparison test, and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: In the study, significant differences were found in the total scores and sub-dimensions of the coping methods with stress scale based on the participants' age, educational level, mother's education level, father's education level, family monthly income, place of residence, years of experience in sports, and sports discipline variables. Regarding sports-specific achievement motivation, significant differences were detected in total scale scores and sub-dimensions based on age, educational level, mother's education level, father's education level, family monthly income, place of residence, and sports discipline variables. It was found that there is a significant and moderate positive relationship between the coping strategies for stress and the sports-specific achievement motivation levels of Wushu Kung-Fu athletes. Conclusions: In the study, it was found that as age increased, the average scores also increased on the sports-specific achievement motivation scale and the coping methods with stress scale. In terms of educational level, mother's education, and father's education variables, athletes in the undergraduate/postgraduate category, those whose family monthly income covers their expenses, those living in a village/town, and those in the Taolu category showed higher average scores on the coping strategies with stress scale and the sports-specific achievement motivation scale. For the sports years variable, it was found that those with 10-14 years of sports experience had higher average scores on the coping strategies with stress scale. Correlation results indicate that as the scores on coping strategies for stress increase, the level of sports-specific achievement motivation also increases. As a martial art, the Wushu Kung-Fu sports discipline is important for developing stress coping skills. It can be said that controlling stress levels will have a positive effect on motivation for success. As a result, it is recommended to implement certain practices aimed at enhancing athletes' abilities to cope with stress. Keywords: Wushu Kung Fu, Coping with Stress, Motivation