Research proposes combat sports as powerful tool to reduce youth violence

New research from the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing is spotlighting a surprising, yet effective, intervention for reducing youth violence: combat sports. Published in Youth 2025, the paper by Professor Andrew Lane, titled "CALM: Cultivating Awareness, Learning, and Mastery to Reduce Anger and Violence Through Combat Sports," argues that disciplines such as boxing, judo, and mixed martial arts can instil crucial emotional regulation and self-control in at-risk youth.

Youth violence remains a pressing global issue, with significant consequences for individuals and communities. Traditional interventions often struggle with low uptake among the very youth who need them most. Professor Lane's research proposes that combat sports, while seemingly promoting aggression, actually align with the values of at-risk youth, drawing them in while simultaneously teaching discipline, goal-directed behaviour, and self-control within a rule-governed environment.

The "CALM" framework — Cultivating Awareness, Learning, and Mastery — highlights how structured combat training fosters self-awareness, cognitive control, and respect. It provides a unique setting where participants must manage intense emotions like frustration or anger, learning to channel them into productive actions rather than impulsive reactions. This approach leverages psychological models such as the 4Rs of mood regulation (Recognise, Resolve, Restore, Regulate) and Gross’s emotion regulation model. Additionally, it incorporates the COM-B model by enhancing participants' Capability to manage emotions, providing the Opportunity for consistent practice, and boosting their Motivation for positive behavioural change.

"It might seem counterintuitive to suggest combat sports as a solution for violence," said Andrew Lane. "However, these sports, when structured correctly, teach young people profound lessons in emotional control, respect, and resilience. They offer a highly motivating environment where discipline is paramount, and the ability to regulate one's emotions is essential for success. This research presents a viable and sustainable pathway to reducing violent behaviour among youth by working with, rather than against, their interests."

By offering motivation, capability, and opportunity, combat sports emerge as a sustainable intervention that can address multiple underlying risk factors for violence, leading to improved mental health outcomes, social functioning, and academic performance.

The research is already getting some traction. Aidan Walsh, Olympic boxing medallist is currently looking to develop the programme in Belfast ((3) Post | Feed | LinkedIn). Endorsements on the work has been given by Billy Walsh, head coach of the USA boxing team and former head coach of Ireland and Gary Keegan who posted on LinkedIn ‘incredible to learn from Billy Walsh about the input Andy Lane had and the research within the Irish High Performance Unit. Incredible and the research is top class.’

The University of Wolverhampton is at the forefront of this vital research, contributing to innovative solutions for a critical societal challenge.

For further details on Professor Andrew Lane's research, the full paper is available in Youth 2025.