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Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 38397

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xurxo Dopico Calvo

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Guest Editor

Health Group, Department of Physical Education and Sport, Performance, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, University of A Coruna, 15179 Oleiros, Spain
Interests: sport sciences; sport and health; sport exercise

Dr. Rafael Lima Kons

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-100, BA, Brazil
Interests: health sciences; physical education

Dr. Jose Morales Aznar

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Assistant Guest Editor

Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: sport sciences; sports medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that the field of study of combat sports and martial arts has increased in recent years.

We are excited to invite sports scientists interested in publishing their advances on performance analysis during the fighting, evaluating, and monitoring of athletes during training and competition, and analyzing the impact of physical and mental health effects linked to the practice of combat sports and martial arts.

The growing numbers of practitioners of different modalities in these sports have stimulated sports scientists to study aspects related to performance and the effects of the practice of these sports on physical and mental health. The accumulated information has helped coaches guide the different intervention processes with greater precision, thus increasing the level and possibilities of sports success and its practice. In order to continue increasing the knowledge in this sports field, we will accept articles of interventional studies, random controlled trials, and systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis, on combat sports and martial arts, related to:

Observational analysis in competition;
Monitoring, evaluation, and control of the athlete;
Physiology of effort;
Biomechanics of skills (techniques);
Body composition, weight management, and nutrition;
Psychological Aspects of the practitioners;
Effects of practice and health;
Applied teaching-learning and motor control processes;
Injuries.

Therefore, we cordially invite all colleagues from the most diverse martial arts and combat sports to collaborate on this Special Issue, and we thank you in advance for your attention and availability.

Dr. Xurxo Dopico Calvo
Dr. Rafael Lima Kons
Dr. Jose Morales Aznar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

evaluation and monitoring
observational analysis
health effects
physiology
body composition and weight management
injuries
biomechanics
learning and motor control
psychology
physical education
nutrition and ergogenic

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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8 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relation between VT1, VT2, and VO_2max with the Special Wrestling Fitness Test in Youth Wrestlers: A Short Report

by Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Emerson Franchini, Pablo Valdés-Badilla, Alex Ojeda-Aravena, Carolina Pardo-Tamayo, Carolina Zapata-Huenullán, Cristián Cofre-Bolados and Celso Sanchez-Ramirez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2570; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20032570 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) and 2 (VT2) with the Special Wrestling Fitness Test variables. Thirteen wrestlers (male: six; female: seven) of Olympic freestyle wrestling were assessed. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient (p < 0.05) was used to establish the relationship between variables. A positive correlation was found between VT1 with throws in set B (r = 0.77; p = 0.002; 95%CI = 0.37–0.93), total throws (r = 0.73; p = 0.004; 95%CI = 0.30–0.91), heart rate recovery (r = 0.58; p = 0.036; 95%CI = 0.05–0.86), and test index (r = −0.60; p = 0.031; 95%CI = −0.86–0.07); between VT2 and throws in set B (r = 0.57; p = 0.043; 95%CI = 0.01–0.86); and between peak oxygen uptake with throws in set B (r = 0.77; p = 0.002; 95%CI = 0.39–0.93), throws in set C (r = 0.64; p = 0.02; 95%CI = 0.12–0.89), and total throws (r = 0.72; p = 0.006; 95%CI = 0.28–0.91). In conclusion, the peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory thresholds correlated with specific Special Wrestling Fitness Test variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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14 pages, 604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Long-Term Adapted Judo Program on the Health-Related Physical Fitness of Children with ASD

by Emanuela Pierantozzi, José Morales, David H. Fukuda, Vanessa Garcia, Antonia M. Gómez, Myriam Guerra-Balic and Eduardo Carballeira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16731; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192416731 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2420

Abstract

Physical fitness is one of the most important physical and mental health aspects for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study aimed to test the effects of a long-term adapted judo program on the health-related physical fitness of children with ASD. The participants were recruited from various associations of families and schools for children with special needs. Twenty-one children were assigned to an experimental group and nineteen to a control group. The experimental group participated in a six-month adapted judo program consisting of 90 min of practice each week. Health-related physical fitness was measured using the indicators obtained from the ALPHA-fitness battery, the estimated VO₂max and the waist/height ratio^0.5. Changes within and between groups were analyzed using linear mixed models for repeated measures designs and test-retest reliability of tests requiring a maximum score using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). A judo program tailored for children with ASD can improve the cardio-metabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness of its participants. The problems involved with administering physical aptitude tests that involve maximum effort or performance in children with ASD cast serious doubts on the reproducibility of their results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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12 pages, 1722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts

by Katarzyna Mańka-Malara and Elżbieta Mierzwińska-Nastalska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13050; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192013050 - 11 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2104

Abstract

Combat sports training involves a high risk of head injury. Previously published research on head trauma exposure in MMA evaluated only the knockouts (KO), without calculating all head strikes. The aim of the research was to evaluate the total head trauma exposure during MMA competitions among male and female fighters. Two thousand four hundred and eighty-eight MMA fights from all numbered UFC events between 2000 and 2021 were analyzed. A database containing the results from officially published scorecards with information such as the outcome of a fight, its duration, number of strikes (significant and total amount of hits) depending on location and knockdowns was created. Additional video verification of the knockout technique was carried out. The athletes received an average of 2.41 significant head strikes out of a total of 6.30 head strikes per minute. Head strikes were more common in female fights than in male. Women executed more total and significant head strikes per minute than men. Head trauma caused the ending of 31.6% of all fights—more often in male fights (32.2%) than female (23.1%). It was the most common cause of knockouts—88.1%. Professional fights in mixed martial arts involve high exposure to head trauma. A careful evaluation of the risk involved in training in such a discipline is necessary to provide adequate prevention methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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8 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Selected Characteristics of Slovak and Polish Representatives in Kickboxing

by Pavel Ruzbarsky, Kristina Nema, Marek Kokinda, Łukasz Rydzik and Tadeusz Ambroży

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10507; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph191710507 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1451

Abstract

Background: Previous kickboxing studies conducted over the last three decades have focused on improving performance through physical fitness characteristics; however, most of the research focused on men. The objective of this study is to assess the level of physical fitness of Slovak and Polish female kickboxers in the highest sport level as well as to compare the differences between them. Methods: The study included 20 female kickboxers on the highest level of sport performance, 10 from Slovakia (body mass—53.59; height—166.45) and 10 from Poland (body mass—60.35; height —169.95), from senior categories, with a mean age of 23 ± 2. The selection criteria included training experience and sports level. The level of physical fitness was evaluated by the following tests: Cooper’s test, 50 m sprint, sit-ups, flexed arm hang and standing long jump. Technical and tactical indicators were used to assess the sports skill level during the competition. Results: The test results of both groups are very comparable based on the evaluated data of Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA. The attack activity index together with sit-ups demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between Slovak and Polish kickboxers. A strong positive correlation was proven between technical and tactical indicators and physical fitness tests in the results of both groups. Conclusions: There exists a positive correlation between the technical and tactical indicators of kickboxers and the explosive strength of lower limbs, strength endurance, abdominal muscle strength, speed and aerobic endurance. Differences between Slovak and Polish kickboxers have been shown in the attack activity index and in the level of strength endurance. The level of speed and explosive power of the lower limbs was comparable in both groups of kickboxers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

10 pages, 998 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of a Six Week In-Season Training Program on Wrestling-Specific Competitive Performance

by Lucciano Francino, Bayron Villarroel, Pablo Valdés-Badilla, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Eduardo Báez-San Martín, Alex Ojeda-Aravena, Esteban Aedo-Muñoz, Carolina Pardo-Tamayo and Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9325; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19159325 - 30 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2644

Abstract

The effect of multi-component training on specific performance is under-researched in wrestlers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of six weeks of multi-component training on The Special Wrestling Fitness Test (SWFT) performances of wrestlers who were preparing for an international championship, and to, additionally, determine their inter-individual adaptive variability. The wrestlers (n = 13; 7 females; all international level) underwent technical-tactical and physical fitness training for the six weeks before the championship, 12 sessions per week (i.e., 36 h per week). Before and after the intervention the athletes were assessed with the SWFT, a wrestling-specific competitive performance test that includes measurements for throws, heart rate response to the SWFT, and the SWFT index. Significant pre–post intervention improvements were noted for throws (pre = 23.5 ± 2.9; post = 24.9 ± 3.6; p = 0.022) and SWFT_index (pre = 14.9 ± 2.2; post = 14.1 ± 2.2; p = 0.013. In conclusion, six weeks of multi-component training improved wrestling-specific competitive performances in highly-trained wrestlers, although with a meaningful inter-subject variability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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11 pages, 644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maximum Isometric and Dynamic Strength of Mixed Martial Arts Athletes According to Weight Class and Competitive Level

by Orlando Folhes, Víctor Machado Reis, Diogo Luís Marques, Henrique Pereira Neiva and Mário Cardoso Marques

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8741; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19148741 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1744

Abstract

Mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes must achieve high strength levels to face the physical demands of an MMA fight. This study compared MMA athletes’ maximal isometric and dynamic strength according to the competitive level and weight class. Twenty-one male MMA athletes were divided into lightweight professional (LWP; n = 9), lightweight elite (LWE; n = 4), heavyweight professional (HWP; n = 4), and heavyweight elite (HWE; n = 4). The handgrip and isometric lumbar strength tests assessed the isometric strength, and the one-repetition maximum (1RM) bench press and 4RM leg press the dynamic strength. Univariate ANOVA showed differences between groups in absolute and relative 1RM bench press and absolute isometric lumbar strength. Post hoc tests showed differences in 1RM bench press between HWE and LWE (117.0 ± 17.8 kg vs. 81.0 ± 10.0 kg) and HWE and LWP athletes (117.0 ± 17.8 kg vs. 76.7 ± 13.7 kg; 1.5 ± 0.2 kg·BW⁻¹ vs. 1.1 ± 0.2 kg·BW⁻¹). In addition, there was a correlation between 1RM bench press and isometric lumbar strength for absolute (r = 0.67) and relative values (r = 0.50). This study showed that the 1RM bench press and isometric lumbar strength were associated and could differentiate MMA athletes according to their competitive level and weight class. Therefore, optimizing the force production in the upper body and lower back seems important in elite and professional MMA athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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13 pages, 632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of the Physical Fitness Profile of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes with Reference to Training Experience

by Wojciech Wąsacz, Łukasz Rydzik, Ibrahim Ouergui, Agnieszka Koteja, Dorota Ambroży, Tadeusz Ambroży, Pavel Ruzbarsky and Marian Rzepko

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8451; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19148451 - 11 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2565

Abstract

Background: In combat sports, successful competition and training require comprehensive motor fitness. The aim of this study was to diagnose the level of physical fitness and to determine the level of differences between athletes of combat sports characterized by stand-up fighting, such as Muay Thai; and ground fighting, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Methods: The study examined and compared 30 participants divided into two equal groups: Muay Thai athletes (n = 15; age: 24.24 ± 3.24; body height: 174.91 ± 5.19; body weight: 77.56 ± 7.3), and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) (n = 15; age: 22.82 ± 1.81; body height: 175.72 ± 7.03; body weight: 77.11 ± 8.12). Basic characteristics of the somatic build were measured. Selected manifestations of the motor potential of motor skills were also evaluated using selected tests from the EUROFIT test battery, the International Test of Physical Fitness, and computer tests of coordination skills. Relative strength and maximal anaerobic work (MAW) indices were calculated. The strength of the relationship between the effect of motor fitness and training experience was also assessed. Results: The athletes of both groups (Muay Thai and BJJ) presented similar levels of basic characteristics of the somatic build. Motor fitness in the tested groups showed significant differences between the athletes of these sports in static strength (p = 0.010), relative strength (p = 0.006), arm muscle strength in pull-ups (p = 0.035), and functional strength in bent arm hanging (p = 0.023). Higher levels of these components of motor fitness were found for the athletes in the BJJ athletes. In the Muay Thai group, significant very high strength of association was found between training experience and five strength tests. Furthermore, a significantly high strength of association was found in two tests. In the BJJ group, significant relationships with very high correlation were found between the variables in five strength tests. Conclusions: Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes performed better in strength tests (static strength, relative strength, shoulder girdle strength, functional strength). High correlations between the training load and the level of physical fitness were found in flexibility and strength tests in BJJ athletes and most strength tests in Muay Thai athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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9 pages, 339 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personality and Age of Male National Team of Ukraine in Kyokushin Karate—Pilot Study

by Paweł Piepiora, Bogdan Kindzer, Justyna Bagińska and Wojciech J. Cynarski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7225; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127225 - 13 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1817

Abstract

This article is a continuation of the research on personality in combat sports in karate. The authors’ goal was to verify the relationship between personality and age of kyokushin karate practitioners. The male national team of Ukraine in karate kyokushin (N = 7) participated in the personality study with the use of the Big Five model. The NEO-FFI (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) Personality Questionnaire was applied as a research tool and the package of statistical methods IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 (IBM Polska, Warszawa, Poland) was used to compute the research results. The study showed that there were differences in the intensity of openness to experiences between individual samples only at the level of the statistical trend. Masters showed a higher level of openness to experiences in relation to juniors (p = 0.081) and seniors (p = 0.097). Also, a negative and strong correlation between the intensity of neuroticism and conscientiousness among the respondents was noted. A conclusion was drawn that, with age, karatekas probably manifest greater openness to experience, which is the result of their sports experience, high sports level and pro-health values of karate. On the other hand, good emotional adaptation of karatekas is strictly related to conscientiousness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

13 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parental Perceptions of Youths’ Desirable Characteristics in Relation to Type of Leisure: A Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis of Martial-Art-Practicing Youths

by Tony Blomqvist Mickelsson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5725; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095725 - 8 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1917

Abstract

Parents place their youths in sport with the belief that doing so will produce developmental outcomes. However, it is unclear if parents enroll children in different sports based on different desired characteristics they wish their youth to develop. This paper analyses the link between youths engaged in martial arts (MA) compared to other leisure activities. MA research has indicated the importance of masculinity and gender ideals that suggest that parents hold certain visions when enrolling their youths in MA. For example, one such vision is for their youths to be able to handle themselves in physical encounters. Two research questions guided the study. First, what characteristics do MA parents desire their children to develop? Secondly, how do these desires correspond to MA youths’ actual characteristics? We utilize multinomial logistic regression analysis on nationally representative data from the Netherlands. The results show that MA parents are younger, their youths are of migration background, and the parents value characteristics such as self-control, responsibility, and acting “gender appropriately”. These results correspond to their youths; MA youths are consistently characterized by more masculinity compared to the youths in other groups. The results bear implications for how MA environments must safeguard against potentially harmful and misleading norms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

11 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Successful Behaviors Leading to Groundwork Scoring Skills in Elite Judo Athletes

by Xurxo Dopico-Calvo, Eliseo Iglesias-Soler, Luis Santos, Eduardo Carballeira and Xián Mayo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3165; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063165 - 8 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2068

Abstract

The present study aimed (1) to propose an approach of observational analysis of the preceding standing judo (tachi-waza (TW)) context to a groundwork (ne-waza (NW)) grappling score (NWGS), and (2) to analyze the outcomes of applying such a model in high-level judoists. We conducted an observational analysis of 176 NW scoring actions of 794 combats observed in Baku’s World Judo Championships of 2018. Women scored more NWGS, performing more corporal controls but less segmental controls compared with the men. Moreover, NWGS were scored predominately during the second and third minutes of combat, independently of the sex or the weight category. Most NWGS occurred after an asymmetrical lateral structure, without showing associations with a particular type of NWGS. The movement structure of the attacking action during TW leading to an NWGS was predominantly techniques without turn, followed closely by techniques with turn, and barely performed after supine position techniques. Data showed that NWGS occurred more frequently after a failed TW attack (68.6%) than after a scored TW attack (31.4%). The TW attacker achieved NWGS with a higher frequency (62%) than the TW defender (38%), who mainly took advantage of a failed TW attack (98.5% vs. 1.5%, after failed vs. scored TW, respectively). The grip configurations most frequently employed during TW were dorsal-sleeve and flap-sleeve; overall, frontal grips were predominant over dorsal grips. However, no specific TW grip was related to success or grip progression before an NWGS. Our results will help judo coaches understand the influence of these factors on judo performance and optimize the planning and execution of technical–tactical content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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15 pages, 1221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relative and Chronological Age in Successful Athletes at the World Taekwondo Championships (1997–2019): A Focus on the Behaviour of Multiple Medallists

by Gennaro Apollaro, Yarisel Quiñones Rodríguez, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Antonio Hernández-Mendo and Coral Falcó

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1425; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19031425 - 27 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3901

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the relative and chronological age among taekwondo world medal winners (by gender, Olympic 4-year period, Olympic weight category; N = 740), and to study the behaviour of multiple medallists (N = 156) to monitor changes in weight categories and wins over time. The observed birth quartile distribution for the heavyweight category was significantly skewed (p = 0.01). Female athletes (22.2 ± 3.5 years) achieve success at a significantly younger age (p = 0.01) than their male counterparts (23.6 ± 3.3 years). In the weight categories, female flyweights were significantly younger than those welterweights (p = 0.03) and heavyweight (p = 0.01); female featherweights were significantly younger than those heavyweights (p = 0.03). Male flyweights and featherweights were significantly younger than those welterweights and heavyweights (p = 0.01). When a taekwondo athlete won a medal several times, he/she did so within the same Olympic weight category group and won two medals in his/her career (p = 0.01). Multiple medallists of the lighter and heavier groups did not differ in the number of medals won but in the time span in which they won medals (p = 0.02). The resources deployed by stakeholders to achieve success in these competitions highlight an extremely competitive environment. In this sense, the information provided by this study can be relevant and translated into key elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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10 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring of Eccentric Hamstring Strength and Eccentric Derived Strength Ratios in Judokas from a Single Weight Category

by Jožef Šimenko, Damir Karpljuk and Vedran Hadžić

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 604; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19010604 - 5 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2632

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to perform isokinetic knee testing of male judokas competing in the under 73 kg category. The main aims were: to establish the concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) strength profile of hamstrings (H) and CON profile of quadriceps (Q) muscles; to evaluate the differences in CON and ECC peak torques (PT) with various strength ratios and their bilateral asymmetries; the calculation of the dynamic control ratio (DCR) and H ECC to CON ratio (HEC); Methods: 12 judokas competing on a national and international levels with a mean age of 19 ± 4 years, a weight of 75 ± 2 kg and with a height of 176 ± 5 cm were tested. All the subjects were right-hand dominant. Isokinetic testing was performed on iMOMENT, SMM isokinetic machine (SMM, Maribor, Slovenia). The paired t-test was used to determine the difference between paired variables. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05; Results: Statistical differences between left (L) and right (R) Q PT (L 266; R 241 Nm), H ECC PT (L 145; R 169 Nm), HQR (L 0.54; R 0.63), DCR (L 0.55; R 0.70), HEC (L 1.02; R 1.14) and PTQ/BW (L 3.57; R 3.23 Nm/kg) were shown. Bilateral strength asymmetries in CON contraction of 13.52% ± 10.04 % for Q, 10.86% ± 7.67 % for H and 22.04% ± 12.13% for H ECC contraction were shown. Conclusions: This study reports the isokinetic strength values of judokas in the under 73 kg category, emphasising eccentric hamstring strength and eccentric derived strength ratios DCR and HEC. It was shown that asymmetries are better detected using eccentric testing and that the dominant leg in judokas had stronger eccentric hamstring strength resulting in higher DCR and HEC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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Review

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19 pages, 678 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Different Rapid Weight Loss Strategies and Percentages on Performance-Related Parameters in Combat Sports: An Updated Systematic Review

by Luis Manuel Martínez-Aranda, Manuel Sanz-Matesanz, Guillermo Orozco-Durán, Francisco Tomás González-Fernández, Lorena Rodríguez-García and Amelia Guadalupe-Grau

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5158; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20065158 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3362

Abstract

Most combat sports (CS) are structured in weight categories, and it is very common to carry out body weight adjustment strategies in order to compete in lower weight categories. For this reason, different rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies are usually performed to pass the pre-competition weigh-in test, and then a replenishment of fluids and carbohydrate-rich foods is conducted in an attempt to recover the weight and avoid a performance loss. In this context, no clear references have been found on whether these types of strategies have negative effects, impairing the athlete’s combat and/or physical performance. For this reason, the aim of this study was to review the scientific literature on the effect of rapid weight reduction strategies on the performance of CS athletes. A literature search was performed through four different databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect). Four inclusion criteria were established as follows: (1) the subjects had to be competitors in the CS and carry out RWL strategies; (2) at least two measurement points, that is, normal conditions and dehydration condition; (3) measurements in a real competition or simulating the same conditions; (4) original research articles written in English or Spanish and available in full text. Finally, a total of 16 articles were finally included in this research. All subjects (n = 184) were athletes from combat disciplines, with a minimum of 3–4 years of practice, as well as with certain experience in RWL. Six of the studies reported that an RWL strategy of around 5% of body weight loss did not affect performance parameters. However, the other ten studies with RWL between 3 and 6% or even higher reported negative effects or impairments on different parameters related to performance and/or athlete’s psychophysiology, such as perceived fatigue, mood states, strength and power production, as well as changes in hormonal, blood and urine parameters, body composition, or the kinematics of the technical gesture. Although there is still no clear answer to the issue approached in this research, in general terms, it seems that in order to guarantee an acceptable athletic performance of the competitor, the weight loss should not exceed 3% to ≤5% of body weight together with ≥24 h for adequate (or at least partial) recovery and rehydration processes. In addition, it is highly recommended to lose weight progressively over several weeks, especially focusing on competitions lasting several days, as well as multiple rounds or qualifying stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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Other

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21 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effects of Strength Training on Physical Fitness of Olympic Combat Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review

by Izham Cid-Calfucura, Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela, Emerson Franchini, Coral Falco, Jorge Alvial-Moscoso, Carolina Pardo-Tamayo, Carolina Zapata-Huenullán, Alex Ojeda-Aravena and Pablo Valdés-Badilla

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3516; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20043516 - 16 Feb 2023

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Abstract

This review aimed to identify the effects of strength training programs on the physical fitness of Olympic combat sports (OCS) athletes. The systematic review included peer-reviewed articles that incorporated interventions that included pre- and post-intervention physical fitness assessment. The search was performed in the SCOPUS, PubMed, and Web of Science databases between April and September 2022. PRISMA and the TESTEX checklist were used to select and assess the methodological quality of the studies. Twenty studies with 504 participants (428 males and 76 females) were included. Significant improvements were found in athletes’ maximal dynamic and isometric strength, muscle power, flexibility, and balance. In addition, improvements in favor of the training groups in specific actions of judo, karate, fencing, and boxing were observed. In conclusion, interventions aimed at the development of muscle strength in OCS, specifically in judo, boxing, karate, wrestling, and fencing, proved to be beneficial at a physical fitness level, resulting in significant increases in favor of the training groups with OCS, which could be used by trainers and coaches to improve the physical performance of athletes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Martial Arts and Combat Sports on Health)

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