Combat Sports in Higher Education: An Analysis of Spanish Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Curricula
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17398/Keywords:
combat sports, initial training, physical activity and sports sciences, university studiesAbstract
The design of university programmes is fundamental for the professional training of higher education graduates. In the context of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences in Spain, combat sports are an essential part of the sports education of future graduates. This research aimed to analyse courses that cover combat sports content during the 2021-2022 academic year, evaluating their methodology, contents, and objectives in the teaching guides. Using a documentary review design, the teaching guides of all offered courses were accessed, applying an exploratory analysis with the software Orange (v.3.32.0) and Jamovi (v.2.2.5). The results showed a predominantly practical, participative, and group-orientated methodology, with judo being the most prominent content. The objectives ranged from the acquisition of specific technical skills to the development of transversal competencies such as discipline and teamwork. A lack of homogeneity was found in combat sports teaching in Spanish universities, with significant disparities in credits, contents, and pedagogical approaches. This notable bias towards judo and the variability in the curricular offer represent an opportunity to expand and improve the comprehensive training of future professionals in physical activity and sport sciences, promoting a broader and more enriching education in relation to combat sports.
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