Background. Reception of martial arts, including karate, by persons training has not been previously investigated by growing group of researchers. It was not far at all such research in karate national team of the Polish Traditional Karate Association, using a qualitative methodology. The HTMA (Humanistic Theory of Martial Arts) and the anthropology of martial arts co-create the scientific framework for this study. Problem. The formulated scientific problem was: What is the reception karate and attitude toward by members of the Polish karate senior squad, and especially the coaching staff? Subsequently, the scope of testing a series of five research questions: 1) What are the reasons for interest in martial arts and karate, and the circumstances of start regular training? 2) What changes in karate and in your own personality are perceived as a function of time?3) How do people perceive the philosophy, principles and values of karate?4) What are for respondents the most important values in life?5) What is the impact karate on young karateka? Material and Method. In the first phase of the study we used content analysis of literature and an extensive analysis of the discourse with interdisciplinary comparative analysis undertaken for the topic and the problem, as well as the deductive method. The source here are thematic publications - literature. The main method of empirical research here is qualitative analysis of expression the Polish senior squad members in "traditional karate". The tool was a direct depth questionnaire by Cynarski [2]. In addition, the auxiliary questionnaire A was used. In four cases (3–4 dan degree holders) the court expert / competent judges method was used. Material of research are the statements of representatives of the national team of the Polish Traditional Karate Association 2016, age category seniors (21+) in the number N = 20. Results and Conclusions. Videos/films of martial arts, and a certain fashion, willingness to learn self-defence, karate curiosity, the desire to improve efficiency were frequent motifs undertake long-term studies karate by the experts. Among the remaining respondents most often mentioned was the case. For experts, the fascination with the physical and technical aspects of karate subsides with time-depth motivation of perceiving aspects of spiritual, cultural, with a better understanding of the meaning of martial arts. The other “black belts” see the changes in the social perception of karate, which has become more popular, but less mysterious. All respondents positively assess the impact of practicing karate on the changes in yourself and in your life. Respondents emphasize ethical principles and the positive educational impact of karate. For many, karate is a passion, but the most important value in their lives is – in most cases – the family.
