Comparing the physical profiles of mixed martial arts athletes with other martial arts

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the physiological profile of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes with other martial arts practitioners such as jiu-jitsu, taekwondo and boxing in order to identify some potential differences and facilitate potential transition from one sport to the other. This study involves 42 male and female active and competitive martial arts athletes ageing 18 to 35 years old: 14 MMA fighters (MMA), 9 boxers (Boxing), 9 Taekwondo (TKo), and 10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters (BJJ). Previous training history, frequency of trainings per week, competition history, and experience in their sport and in gym training were all evaluated using a questionnaire. Then, all the athletes underwent the same physical fitness tests: 1 repetition maximum (RM) of squat, bench press and deadlift after a proper warm up; counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJ) and without arm swing with hands on hips (CMJHH) and standing broad jump (SBJ). Additionally, the 20m beep test or shuttle run test was done to measure the athletes’ aerobic endurance. The sit and reach test and middle split were used to assess the athletes’ hamstring and adductor flexibility. And finally the maximum amount of repetitions was tested using 80% of 1 RM for the bench press and squats in order to measure athletes’ muscular endurance. The findings showed that absolute strength may vary among different disciplines due to differences in body weight. However, MMA athletes displayed the best average relative strength, indicating the sport’s demand for relative strength across various techniques. Lower body power was consistent across all disciplines, implying similar needs for explosiveness despite differences in techniques. Upper body muscle endurance was also consistent across all combat sports unlike lower body endurance which was not as important for boxing athletes as for TKo. TKo athletes demonstrated the highest flexibility, indicating the sport’s demands for better success in TKo. VO2 max results showed no significant differences among the four sports, showing the similar importance of aerobic endurance. This shows the wide variety of adaptations needed for each sport and helps inform coaches and athletes to emphasize on the importance of the relative strength for athletes in a transition from their sport to MMA