Physical fitness predicts technical-tactical and time-motion profile in simulated Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matches

Neuromuscular Fatigue During Brazilian Jiujitsu Matches: Analysis of Upper and Lower Limbs

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of repeated Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) matches on neuromuscular fatigue in forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles.

METHODS

Twelve BJJ athletes (8 men and 4 women) performed a simulated BJJ tournament composed of four 8-minute matches interspersed by 16-minute intervals. Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed via prematch to postmatch(es) reductions in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), voluntary activation, and potentiated twitch force (Ptwpot) in the forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles.

RESULTS

The MVIC of the knee extensors and forearm flexors reduced from prematch 1 to postmatch 2 and remained suppressed until postmatch 4 (P < .034). The voluntary activation of the knee extensors declined only after match 4, whereas the voluntary activation of the forearm flexors did not change throughout the matches (P = .102). Ptwpot of knee extensors decreased from prematch 1 to postmatch 1 (P < .001) and remained reduced until postmatch 4 (P < .001). Ptwpot of the forearm flexors reduced after every match (P < .010), with complete recovery occurring only before the second match (P = .99). The magnitude of the prematch-to-postmatch reduction in Ptwpot was lower in knee extensors than in forearm flexors (P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated BJJ matches induced neuromuscular fatigue, mainly due to impairments in muscle contractile function (ie, peripheral fatigue). The time between BJJ matches seems to be insufficient to allow complete recovery of neuromuscular function, which may influence performance during subsequent matches.

Time-Motion and Technical-Tactical Aspects of Glory World Series Matches in the Male Middle-Heavy-Weight Category

PURPOSE

To characterize the time structure of K1 kickboxing matches of Glory World Series (Glory) and to determine potential differences between winners and losers.

METHODS

Seventeen matches of Glory 2019 (17 first rounds, 13 second rounds, and 8 third rounds) were video-analyzed to quantify (1) the time expended in high- and low-intensity activity and pauses, (2) the number and pattern of attacks, and (3) the number of effective attacks. Fighters were professional male athletes (age 27.9 [2.7] y) of the middle-weight category (85 kg). The number and the pattern of attacks and the number of effective attacks were compared between winners and losers.

RESULTS

The mean times expended in high- and low-intensity activity and pauses were 234.6 (133.9) seconds, 97.4 (60.1) seconds, and 36.0 (19.9) seconds, respectively, resulting in an effort-to-pause ratio of ∼1.8:1. Compared with losers, winners presented (1) a greater number of attacks in the second round (P = .004) and entire match (P = .009), (2) a greater number of attacks containing 3 attacks in sequence in the second round (P = .001) and attacks containing >3 attacks in the third round (P = .049), and (3) a greater number of effective attacks in the second round (P = .011) and entire match (P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate that K1 kickboxing in Glory matches presents a ∼1.8:1 effort-to-pause ratio and that winners perform more attacks, effective attacks, and attacks in sequence. These data provide useful insights to improve the training specificity of kickboxing athletes.

A physical fitness-evaluation system for outstanding Chinese male boxers

Background

We sought to create a system to evaluate the physical fitness of outstanding Chinese male boxers that included an evaluation index, fitness level criteria, and modeling. This system was then used to assess athletes' physical fitness and development.

Methods

Documentation, expert interviews, questionnaires, measurements, and statistical analyses were used in this study.

Results

The physical fitness evaluation system included the following three components: (1) body shape indexes (n = 4) including the backhand upper arm circumference differential, finger span height, Cottrell index, and pelvic width/shoulder width × 100; (2) body function indexes (n = 4) including relative maximum anaerobic power, relative maximal oxygen uptake, and creatine kinase and testosterone concentrations; and (3) athletic quality indexes (n = 9) including the speed strength index, the backhand straight punch strength, 3-min cumulative punching force, backhand straight punch reaction time, backhand straight punch speed, 30-m sprint, 9-min double shake jump rope, 1-min double shake jump rope, and sitting forward bend tests. A five-point grading system to evaluate physical fitness was established and an evaluation model was proposed.

Conclusions

The reference values were determined to be objective and effective using a back substitution process. Individual and differential assessments reflected the athletes' level of physical fitness. The critical values were established under the best and worst conditions and the optimal values were found to be valid and effective.

Lateral preference in complex combat situations: Prevalence and relationship with general measures of hand and foot preference

Laterality is considered relevant to performance in combat sports with particular emphasis being placed on fighters' handedness and combat stance. Such approach, however, may fall too short to understand the role of laterality in sports where fighters are allowed to use their hands and feet standing and on the ground. Here, we referred to grappling sports (i) to estimate lateral preferences in selected combat situations and (ii) to test for an association between those preferences and common measures of hand and foot preference. Based on the responses of 135 experienced grapplers who participated in an online questionnaire lateral preference, at the group-level, was revealed in 12 out of 18 combat situations. At an item-level, common measures of lateral preference and grappling-specific lateral preference were related in three out of 36 conditions (footedness only, not handedness). Across items, scores in a grappling-specific laterality index were positively related with foot but not with hand preference scores. Implications for the assessment of lateral preference in combat sports and the use of item-specific terminology in this context are discussed. On a broader scale, we also elaborate on potential consequences of our findings with regard to evolutionary explanations of the maintenance of left-handedness in humans.

A-trait and risk-taking behavior in predicting injury severity among martial arts athletes

Introduction

Trait anxiety (A-trait) can be seen as a multiplicative function of the person-situation interaction. Considering risk-taking behavior (R-TB), literature highlights instrumental and stimulating risk. The aim of the research is to investigate the level of A-trait (in physically dangerous conditions and in new, unusual situations) and the level of R-TB (instrumental and stimulating risk) in athletes, and to verify to what extent A-trait and risk-taking behavior predict injury severity.

Materials and methods

One hundred and fifty-four senior martial arts athletes from grappling combat sports, striking combat sports and mixed martial artists (MMA) participated in the study. For assessing trait anxiety and risk-taking behavior, the Romanian adaptation of the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scales (EMAS), respectively the Romanian adaptation of the Makarowski's Stimulating and Instrumental Risk Questionnaire were used.

Results

Using multivariate analysis of variance, significant differences between athletes (according to the sports disciplines practiced), in terms of A-trait and R-TB, were examined. Next, we checked the existing correlations between injury severity, A-trait and R-TB scores in athletes practicing striking combat sports, grappling combat sports and MMA. To verify whether there are significant differences in terms of trait anxiety, stimulating and instrumental risk between athletes who have suffered mild, moderate and/or severe injuries and athletes who have suffered only minor/mild injuries, t-Test for Independent Samples was used. Binomial logistic regression procedures were, also, performed, predicting athletes' likelihood of injury, based on R-TB and A-trait.

Conclusion

A moderate or slightly below average level of anxiety in new, unusual situations and a higher level of instrumental risk are linked with a decreased likelihood of severe injuries in athletes. Martial arts athletes (in entire sample) who have suffered more severe injuries are more adrenaline-seeking in competition and use less rational thinking, taking more pleasure in just performing technical executions, regardless of the outcome.

Effects of weight divisions in time-motion of female high-level Brazilian Jiu-jitsu combat behaviors

Coaches and psychologists can use time-motion analysis to elaborate specific interventions for female BJJ athletes, increasing specific training context and reducing unnecessary psychological and physical demands and injuries. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze high-level BJJ female athletes in the 2020 Pan-American Games by comparing the weight categories on the time-motion analysis. The time-motion analysis (i.e., approach, gripping, attack, defensive actions, transition, mounting, guard, side control, and submissions) of 422 high-level female BJJ combats was divided and compared by weight category as follows: Rooster (n = 8), Light Feather (n = 18), Feather (n = 122), Light (n = 84), Middle (n = 74), Medium Heavy (n = 44), Heavy (n = 36), Super Heavy (n = 36), using p ≤ 0.05. The main results indicated that the Super heavyweight category [3.1 (5.8;119.9) s] had a shorter gripping time than other weight categories, p ≤ 0.05. In contrast, roosters [7.2 (3.5;64.6) s] had longer gripping, transition [14.0 (4.8;29.6) s], and attack time [76.2 (27.7, 93.2)] than the light feather, middlers, and heavier weight categories, p ≤ 0.05. These findings should be considered for the psychological interventions and training prescription.

Mental toughness and physical fitness tests of boxing athletes associated with big five personality factors

ABSTRACT The present study related to boxing athletes' mental toughness and physical fitness performances with Big Five Factors. For this, the sample was composed of eleven recreational boxers who competed at the state level and were regularly training (technical and tactical) 4 times a week during the evaluation period. The 44-item Big Five Inventory (BFI) measures the Big Five dimensions of Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, and Extraversion and the 14-item Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) were applied with Strength, Power, and Endurance Tests, Pearson and Spearman's correlations were used to verify the association between BFI, physical and mental tests, respectively, p≤.05. Our results demonstrated that significant and strong correlation between agreeableness factor and sit-ups test, with 40.85±12.36 freq./min (r=.72, p=.02) and, in SMTQ, a strong correlation between Neuroticism and Control [10(9;12) score, r=.76, p≤0.01], Constancy [10(9;12) score, r=.84, p≤0.01] and Total SMQT [37(34;37) score, r=.84, p≤0.01]. In conclusion, these results suggest that Neuroticism factors are associated with mental toughness, while the agreeableness factor is related to muscular endurance capability. Mental toughness and endurance results are associated with boxers' personalities whose drive motivates them relentlessly towards success and promotes thriving in boxing training environments or during championships.

Acute Supplementation with Capsaicin Enhances Upper-Limb Performance in Male Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

The present study investigated whether acute capsaicin (CAP) supplementation improves mean power output (MPO) and peak velocity (PV) during the performance of the free bench press exercise (FBP). Twelve (n = 12) male Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes (age: 24.3 ± 1.5 years, height: 1.74 ± 0.1 m, body mass: 75.7 ± 10.1 kg) participated in this randomized, placebo (PLA)-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. For each condition, 45 min after CAP (12 mg purified) or PLA (12 mg of Celulomax E) consumption, the participants performed four sets of five repetitions of FBP at a load of 60% of body mass with five-min rest intervals. The MPO (t = 5.6, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.3, IC 95% = −0.55 to 1.05) and PV (t = 5.4, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.5, IC 95% = −0.32 to 1.30) were significantly higher with CAP supplementation versus PLA. Acute CAP supplementation appears to improve MPO and PV during FBP in male BJJ athletes.

Evaluation of the Level of Technical and Tactical Skills and Its Relationships with Aerobic Capacity and Special Fitness in Elite Ju-Jitsu Athletes

Background: Ju-jitsu training has to be comprehensive in terms of training intensity, developing a wide range of physical fitness and learning multiple technical skills. These requirements result from the specificity of the competition characteristic of the sport form of this martial art. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aerobic capacity and special physical fitness of ju-jitsu athletes at the highest sports performance level and to determine the relationships between special fitness and the indices of technical and tactical skills. Methods: In order to determine the current level of special fitness of the athletes, a set of karate fitness tests were used, namely, the Special Judo Fitness Test and the Kickboxer Special Physical Fitness Test. Furthermore, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂peak) was measured using a graded exercise test in a group of 30 sport ju-jitsu athletes at the highest level of sports performance. To evaluate the level of technical and tactical skills, an analysis of recordings of tournament bouts was carried out, and, based on the observations, the indices of effectiveness, efficiency, and activeness of the attack were calculated. Results: Individuals with higher fitness were more active and effective in the attack. The special efficiency indices showed significant correlations with the technical and tactical parameters. Better fighting performance was dependent on the speed of the punches, kicking range, and the results of the special fitness tests. Conclusions: To achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness of sport ju-jitsu, the training process should be based on comprehensive motor development and an optimal level of special fitness.

Physical Fitness and the Level of Technical and Tactical Training of Kickboxers

Background: Kickboxing is a dynamically progressing combat sport based on various techniques of punches and kicks. The high level of physical fitness underlies the optimal development of technique in the competitors. The objective of this study was the assessment of the level of fitness of kickboxers and the relationships between fitness and technical and tactical training. Methods: The study included 20 kickboxers aged 18–32 demonstrating the highest level of sporting performance. Their body mass ranged from 75 to 92 kg and their height from 175 to 187 cm. The selection of the group was intentional, and the criteria included training experience and the sports level assessed by the observation of the authors and opinion of the coach. The level of fitness was evaluated with the use of selected trials of International Committee on the Standardization of Physical Fitness Tests and Eurofit tests. Aerobic capacity was tested and indicators of efficiency, activeness and effectiveness of attacks were calculated. Results: A significant correlation between the indicators of technical and tactical training and results of fitness tests was shown. Conclusions: There exists a correlation between efficiency, activeness and effectiveness of attacks and the speed of upper limbs, explosive strength, static strength of a hand, agility, VO₂max and abdominal muscle strength.

Technical-Tactical Behaviors Analysis of Male and Female Judo Cadets' Combats

This brief research report showed technical-tactical behaviors of male and female judo cadets during combats, comparing the frequency and time of judo combat actions, techniques and penalties. The data was composed for 3,240 sequential technical-tactical behavior analysis from 108 female and 300 male cadet combats recorded of public judo championships. Combat, standing combat moments, approach action, gripping action, attack, groundwork actions and pause moment were observed and determinant technical-tactical behaviors (frequencies of actions, penalties and type of attacks) analysis were done with FRAMI software, followed by Mann-Whitney and Student's t-test, p ≤ 0.05. Our main results indicated that male cadets with 58.66s ± 50.26s demonstrated longer gripping action than female with 38.44s ± 30.44s, as standing combat (tachi-waza) had differences between male with 96.8s ± 72s and female athletes with 75.85s ± 56.97s. Moreover, male cadets had higher sacrifice techniques (sutemi-waza) actions than female athletes. This information could be used to a best performance associated with "psyching-up" as much as it could be used on physical training and technical-tactical ability of female and male cadets.

Making Decisions and Motor Actions with Technical Biomechanical Classifications in Male Judo Weight Categories

The aim of the study was to compare motor action variables of judo combat phases and technical biomechanical assessment of the seven weight categories. The sample was composed of 638 bouts (176 of extra lightweight <66 kg, 289 of half lightweight 66 > 73 kg, 180 of lightweight 73 > 81 kg, 244 of half middleweight 81 > 90 kg, 174 of middleweight 81 > 90 kg, 151 of half heavyweight 90 > 100 kg and 142 of heavyweight >100 kg) during motor actions of approach, gripping, attack, defense and groundwork combat phases, verifying the interactions between them by Markov chains and comparisons by Kruskall-Wallis and Dunn post hoc tests (p ≤ .05). The results demonstrated that lighter weight categories showed higher approach phases than the heavyweight category, and the lightweight group demonstrated higher defensive action frequencies than the half lightweight category and heavyweight athletes. Heavyweight and middleweight categories demonstrated higher groundwork combat frequencies than lighter weights, and the heavyweight category showed higher pause frequencies than the lightweight category. Regarding the decision-making model, the main transitions presented by the Markov chains showed higher prevalence of the following combinations: gripping occurring before the lever and length attacks, lever attack followed by the length attack, and length attack occurring earlier than the groundwork phase.

Anthropometric and Physiological Profile of Mixed Martial Art Athletes: A Brief Review

The aim of this review was to analyze the existing knowledge of the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of MMA (mixed martial arts). A computerized search was performed in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for English-language, peer-reviewed investigations using the term "mixed martial arts" or "MMA" alone and in combination with "physiological characteristics", "physiological profile", "body composition", "strength", "power", "endurance", "aerobic", and "anaerobic". The main findings of this review suggested an overall profile of low body fat, high flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, and anaerobic power, and average cardiovascular endurance. Nevertheless, no differences in anthropometric and physiological characteristics by performance level of the athletes were observed. Based on the studies analyzed in this review, several limitations were reported. First, the subjects in each paper were limited in number, as is MMA literature itself, and it is impossible to make a generalization regarding the anthropometric and physiological profile for male athletes. Second, no studies included female MMA athletes; therefore, there was no evidence for what their profiles might be. Last, the majority of the above-mentioned studies used different tests, or the same tests with different protocols, and as a result, it is difficult to compare their results. The similarity observed between the levels of the athletes might be a result of the different tests and protocols used by the researchers or might be evidence that the anthropometric and physiological profile of an MMA athlete did not vary among high-level athletes. Considering the increasing number of those engaging in MMA training and sport events, the findings of the present study provided strength and conditioning trainers working with MMA athletes a valuable tool for monitoring training and performance.