The Use of Performance Tests for the Physiological Monitoring of Training in Combat Sports: A Case Study of a World Ranked Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

For this case study, an Internet-based survey was posted on a popular mixed-martial- arts (MMA) blog to ascertain its users’ demographics and usage trends. Data analysis revealed that users were predominantly White men between the ages of 23 and 39, with some college education and an annual income of $40,000–59,999. An exploratory factor analysis revealed 6 dimensions of gratification: evaluation, community, information gathering, knowledge demonstration, argumentation, and diversion. The most salient motivation statements were related to the speed of information access, the depth of information and coverage, and the availability of information not typically found through traditional media outlets. Most users spent 1–5 hr/wk watching MMA programming and 1–10 hr/wk on MMA blogs, making 1–20 comments per week. Findings indicated that users used this particular blog for both interactive and information-gathering purposes.

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Combat sports: an encyclopedia of wrestling, fighting, and mixed martial arts

Choice Reviews Online ◽

10.5860/choice.47-1171 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 47 (03) ◽

pp. 47-1171-47-1171

Keyword(s):

Martial Arts ◽

Combat Sports ◽

Mixed Martial Arts

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Combat Sport Nutrition: A Pragmatic Case Study in an Elite Mixed Martial Arts Athlete

10.31236/osf.io/bgnst ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Matthews

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Traditional Approach ◽

Sports Nutrition ◽

Energy Restriction ◽

Sport Nutrition ◽

Rapid Weight Loss ◽

Mixed Martial Arts ◽

Weight Category

Introduction: Mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes typically undergo energy restriction and severe dehydration to compete in a specific weight category: a process known as making weight. This can pose a health risk to athletes and has led to fatalities. Some risks can be mitigated with structured sports nutrition. Methods: This case study provides an overview of a 10-week sports nutrition intervention devised to support an elite male MMA athlete for a world lightweight title bout. Results: Over a 9-week period, body mass was reduced from 81.6 kg (baseline) to 75.4 kg (1-week pre-competition): total loss 6.2 kg (8.2%) equivalent to 0.68 kg.wk-1. In the final 5 days, body mass was reduced by a further 5.2 kg (7.4%), before regaining 5.8 kg (8.3%) and entering competition at 76 kg. There was no incidence of injury or illness throughout the training camp and the athlete reported positive feedback regarding health, wellbeing, and physical performance. Conclusions: The intervention demonstrates a pragmatic approach to making weight by allowing moderate rapid weight loss (RWL) and rapid weight gain under controlled conditions. In the absence of rule changes to prevent RWL, coaches and athletes can utilise sports nutrition strategies to minimise the risks associated with a traditional approach to making weight.

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Women’s Experiences in the Mixed Martial Arts: A Quest for Excitement?

Sociology of Sport Journal ◽

10.1123/ssj.2013-0125 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 66-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Mark Mierzwinski ◽

Philippa Velija ◽

Dominic Malcolm

Keyword(s):

Social Relations ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Gender Relations ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Sexual Intimacy ◽

Male Body ◽

Combat Sports ◽

Mixed Martial Arts ◽

Sociological Approach

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), like the majority of relatively violent sports, has mainly been organized around the capabilities of the male body. However various indices suggest that women’s engagement with MMA is growing. The purpose of this paper is to offer an analysis of women’s involvement in MMA using a figurational sociological approach. In doing so, we draw on interview data with “elite” female mixed martial artists to explore the extent to which females within MMA experience a specifically gendered “quest for excitement.” The paper further illustrates how the notion of “civilized bodies” can be used to interpret the distinctly gendered experiences of shame in relation to fighting in combat sports, the physical markings incurred as a consequence, and perceptions of sexual intimacy in the close physical contact of bodies. In so doing this paper provides the first figurationally-informed study of female sport involvement to focus explicitly on the role of violence in mediating social relations, while refining aspects of the figurational sociological approach to provide a more adequate framework for the analysis of gender relations.

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Neurologist at ringside-to be or not to be?

South African Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.17159/2078-516x/2018/v30i1a4255 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

N Sethi

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Primary Care ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Combat Sports ◽

Mixed Martial Arts ◽

Primary Care Internal Medicine ◽

Medical Associations ◽

The Brain

Background: Ringside physicians are entrusted with the task of protecting the health and safety of combat sports (boxing and mixed martial arts) athletes. Ringside physicians come from various disciplines of medicine such as primary care, Internal Medicine, orthopaedics, sports medicine and even otolaryngology. There are very few neurologists who work as ringside physicians. Discussion: Boxing and MMA are highly controversial sports for neurologists to be involved in for in these sports every punch and kick to the head is thrown with the intention of knocking the opponent out. Every punch and kick to the head is thrown with the intention to win via causing a concussion. Many neurologists thus feel it is unethical to support boxing by working as a ringside physician. Conclusion: Boxing and MMA are universally thought to be detrimental to the brain and nearly all medical associations at various times have made calls to ban boxing and MMA altogether. While medical associations and physicians including neurologists may not support boxing or MMA, the presence of a neurologist ringside or cageside helps make these sports safer by protecting the health and safety of a combat sports athlete.

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