2. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Muay Thai
Wrestling
Kick Boxing
Jujitsu
Currently the fastest
growing sport in the world
Fighting entices audiences
by offering
Violence
National pride
Drama
3. Rounds last for 5
minutes
3 rounds in a regular
fight or 5 rounds in
a championship
fight
1 minute rest
between rounds
Matches are won
either by
submission, decisio
n or KO
4. Weight classes range from
Flyweight < 125 pounds
Middleweight 170-185 pounds
Super Heavyweight over 265 pounds
5. More functional basis of complex, multi-joint
movements
All body parts have major contributions
Difficult to quantify training loads to account
for fight demands
6. Weight classed
Performance and cutting weight
Injuries
Energy requirements
Fitness components
Pain tolerance
7. Somewhat random nature
Dominator vs dominated
Striking vs wrestling
Cutting weight and regaining weight
Aerobic vs anaerobic
Energy costs of being struck
Instantaneous feedback and testing during a
fight
8. Main energy system is the Anaerobic
Glycolytic system
High emphasis on strengthening joints to
minimise injuries
No overall muscle group dominance
Physiological similarities between MMA &
other martial arts athletes
Muscular actions and contraction types
9. VO2 max = 50 ml/kg/min to 63 ml/kg/min
Body Fat = 11.7% + 4%
Vertical Jump = 57.6cm + 7.3cm
1RM relative to body weight
Bench Press = 1.2
Squat = 1.4
10. Small amounts of research
No universal testing protocol to determine
fitness
The effects of making-weight on
performance
Optimal ranges and rates to cut weight from
Talent ID
Skill Acquisition and Transfer
11. MMA is a complex multi-factorial sport
All muscle groups and energy systems
contribute to performance
Training typically involves complex, multi-joint
movements
All components of fitness are involved
Numerous difficulties in research
Similar physiological characteristics to wrestlers
Effects of cutting weight on performance highly
unexplored
12. Amtmann, J, 2003, ‘Strength and conditioning for reality fighters’, Journal of
Strength and Conditioning, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 67-72.
Lenetsky, S & Harris, N, 2012, The Mixed Martial Arts Athlete: A Physiological
Profile, Journal of Strength and Conditioning, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 32-47.
Rankin , J, Walberg, J & Craft, L, 1996, ‘Effect of weight loss and refeeding diet
composition on anaerobic performance in wrestlers’, Medicine & Science in Sports
& Exercise, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 1292-1299.
Seungmo, K, Greenwell, T, Andrews, D, Lee, J & Mahony, D, 2008,‘An analysis of
spectator motives and media consumption behaviour in an individual combat
sport: cross-national differences between American and South Korean Mixed
Martial Arts fans’, Sports Marketing Quarterly, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 109.
Trrant, J, 2006, ‘Nutrition for Fighters’, International
Kickboxer, http://www.recreationmedicalcentre.com.au/files/Nutrition%20for%2
0fighters.pdf, viewed 13/04/2012.
Images sourced from www.Flickr.com, Flickr Image Sharing , viewed 12/04/2012.