41 students completed surveys at the beginning and end of karate courses. After the classes, students felt they were in better physical condition, were less depressed, and felt they had greater control over avoiding being attacked and over preventing serious injury if they were attacked than beforehand. They felt less vulnerable to having bad things happen and to being attacked and less likely to be injured in an attack. Women's and men's perceptions differed on some variables. This study confirms that semester-long karate courses can alter students' perceptions but suggests that instructors should be aware of gender differences regarding the effects of such training.
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