Although these groups are hard-hitting and physical, there is an emphasis is on safety. Combat rules outline safe conduct for all of our members, and these rules are strictly enforced by each organizations' referees. Martial for obvious reason, art because it's invented by its participants. There are no real textbooks to learn from. We teach our own from personal experience.
Romans develop variations on the effective combat techniques they are taught.
Another benefit of these sports is that they are social, and allow for interaction among a diverse group of people. Role-playing games restrict social interaction to one s immediate friends. Computer games are even more limiting in this respect. Medieval combat participants include a vast range of people, including college professors and high school students, construction workers and accountants, computer geeks and ravers. Medievalism challenges creativity and imagination.