Fighting the Choke: The Impact of Mixed Martial Arts on Homelessness Recovery

Homelessness is a growing issue in the UK, with those affected facing a range of challenges that exacerbate their marginalisation in society. Addiction, poor mental and physical health, and social isolation are examples of the difficulties they encounter. The need for targeted interventions to positively impact the lives of those experiencing homelessness, or those at risk, is urgent. Sport and exercise offer a promising solution; their effectiveness in empowering marginalised groups and cultivating community is well documented. This research in partnership with Mind Body Connect (MBC), a Sheffield-based charity that empowers marginalised individuals through physical activity, and several homelessness services, explores the use of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as an exercise intervention for homeless individuals. MMA, a range of combat sports, has the potential to enhance health and well-being, though its application to homelessness has not been previously documented. The study aimed to 1) implement tailored, sustainable MMA classes, adding them as an activity to MBC’s existing repertoire; 2) measure and explore the impacts of weekly structured MMA classes on the Recovery Capital (RC) of homeless individuals, or those at risk of homelessness, RC best summarised as the resources and capacities that enable growth and human flourishing; 3) develop practical recommendations for future exercise interventions targeting vulnerable adults. The Revised Recovery Capital Model (RRCM) accounts for physicality and allows the potential benefits of exercise on recovery to be articulated. This research marks the second application of the RRCM outside of interventions tackling addiction and the first in the context of homelessness. Eighteen months of MMA classes were made available to service users of local agencies that support homeless individuals. Further funding resulted in MMA classes continuing beyond this period. As of September 2024, MMA classes have been active for 35 months. These sessions took place each Wednesday for one hour and were run by a qualified MMA coach in a fully equipped MMA studio. Classes included striking (Muay Thai), wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (submission ground fighting). Data was collected over 28 months using an applied ethnographic approach utilising mixed methods. Qualitative data was gathered through observations before, after, and during training sessions and follow-up interviews. The BARC survey was used to objectively measure RC throughout the training window. Twenty participants took part in the study. Thematic analysis revealed decreases in RC before attending MMA classes due to factors such as poverty, violence, trauma, instability, mental health and addiction. However, participants reported improvements in confidence, trust, fitness, body image, social connection, self-efficacy, and mental well-being through their engagement with MMA. Quantitative analysis also showed an increase in RC through MMA training. Combined, results show that MMA training boosted RC, fitness, and transformed participants’ habitus, marking a significant contribution to the field of recovery interventions. This research demonstrates the application of the RRCM to homelessness and offers recommendations for effective exercise recovery interventions. The dynamic nature of the study yielded additional benefits for participants and MBC, including, paid employment and qualifications for participants, and funding for the organisation. MMA classes became a permanent fixture in MBC’s repertoire at the study’s conclusion. Recommendations from the research advocate for increased emphasis on empowering homeless individuals to engage in physical activity. Additionally, it suggests further research and practice in using MMA as a means of supporting and rehabilitating marginalised groups.