Features of motivation of 8-10 years old children to taekwondo in the People’s Republic of China

Relevance. Analysis of motivation of Chinese children aged 8-10 years to study taekwondo will help to understand the goal-setting and mental characteristics of children of this age group, and the obtained data will help to optimize the taekwondo curriculum in the People's Republic of China. The aim of the study was to study the motivation of schoolchildren aged 8-10 years to study taekwondo in the PRC. Organization and methods of the study. The main methods of the study were questionnaires and interviews. The survey involved 95 schoolchildren aged 8-10 years from the Bachuan Quantum School in Chongqing (PRC). Research results. Analysis of the survey results showed that 74.74% of schoolchildren directly stated that the main motivation for participating in taekwondo training is the acquisition of self-defense skills. At the same time, 85.26% of schoolchildren noted that taekwondo classes have a stimulating positive effect on their personality, in particular, they make them brave and "open". As for motivational expectations of psychological changes during taekwondo training, the most pronounced preference was for the "initiative" option by 82.10% of schoolchildren. In addition, 85.26% of schoolchildren noted that training motivates them to change their behavior, in particular, they began to show initiative in helping others. As for the role of taekwondo in improving concentration, coordination and flexibility, as well as endurance, the majority of schoolchildren noted that it helps: 51.57%, 68.42% and 74.73%, respectively. As for physical health, 85.26% of schoolchildren believe that taekwondo classes have improved their physical condition.