1. Special consideration to the physiological effects of making weight and
performance

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.