Keywords
sports medicine
martial arts
physical fitness test
exercise physiology
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction: Specific tests are essential for individualized planning in any competitive sports context. In the case of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), there is still no consensus on the test that most reflects the athlete's readiness for the best performance.
Objective: To present the MMA Performance Test, to examine its reproducibility in relation to physiological, perceptual and functional responses (state of self-perceived readiness) and to analyze the association of performance level and weight category with these variables.
Methods: Quasi-experimental study with 20 male MMA athletes, divided into two groups according to the classification of the athletic performance level (NR), divided into professional (PRO; n=11) and elite (ELT; n=9). The following were evaluated: heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LAC), subjective perception of exertion (RPE), and self-perceived readiness status (PE) MMA Performance Test. The reproducibility of the measures was investigated by ANOVA one-way.
Results: HR, PSE and LAC showed reproducibility, except for RPE after the 2nd round (p=0.000). NR was associated with HR in the 1st (p=0.016) and in the 3rd rounds (p=0.049), and the RPE in the three rounds (p<0.05). There was no interaction between NR and PC, indicating that these factors affect performance independently. The increase in LAC after testing confirms the high demand of the glycolytic system.
Conclusion: The MMA Performance Test evokes physiological responses like those of real combat and is reproducible, indicating that it is an effective tool for monitoring and planning training in MMA athletes.
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