Jiu-jitsu Athletes Research Articles

Investigation of Dynamic Balance, Limb Asymmetry and Flexibility in Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: A Preliminary Exploratory Study

This preliminary exploratory study is the first to thoroughly examine dynamic balance, inter-limb asymmetry, and flexibility in jiu-jitsu athletes, focusing on differences by fighting style, competition level, gender, and limb dominance. A total of 25 jiu-jitsu fighters participated in this cross-sectional study, which used repeated measures to ensure the reliability of the findings. Participants underwent measurements for limb lengths and were assessed for dynamic balance using the Lower and Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (LQYBT and UQYBT) and for flexibility with the Sit and Reach Test (SR). The analysis included evaluating the reliability of these tests, as well as comparing outcomes based on gender, fighting styles, competition levels, and limb dominance. The results showed that the LQYBT and UQYBT tests were reliable (ICC=0.74–0.93). There were no significant differences in dynamic balance and flexibility between different fighting styles. No significant differences were found in balance tests between the dominant and non-dominant limbs, but there were notable inter-limb asymmetries in certain measures. This study provides preliminary insights for coaches and researchers by offering reference values for balance, flexibility, and inter-limb asymmetry in jiu-jitsu athletes. However, future research with larger sample sizes is needed to better understand the differences among subgroups in this sport.

Cardiorespiratory and muscle oxygenation responses to voluntary hypoventilation at low lung volume in upper body repeated sprints.

To investigate the impact of voluntary hypoventilation at low lung volumes (VHL) during upper body repeated sprints (RS) on performance, metabolic markers and muscle oxygenation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes. Eighteen male well-trained athletes performed two randomized RS sessions, one with normal breathing (RSN) and another with VHL (RS-VHL), on an arm cycle ergometer, consisting of two sets of eight all-out 6-s sprints performed every 30s. Peak (PPO), mean power output (MPO), and RS percentage decrement score were calculated. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), gas exchange, and muscle oxygenation of the long head of the triceps brachii were continuously recorded. Blood lactate concentration ([La]) was measured at the end of each set. Bench press throw peak power (BPPP) was recorded before and after the RS protocol. Although SpO2 was not different between conditions, PPO and MPO were significantly lower in RS-VHL. E, HR, [La], and RER were lower in RS-VHL, and VO2 was higher in RS-VLH than in RSN. Muscle oxygenation was not different between conditions nor was its pattern of change across the RS protocol influenced by condition. [La] was lower in RS-VHL than in RSN after both sets. Performance was significantly lower in RS-VHL, even though SPO2 was not consistent with hypoxemia. However, the fatigue index was not significantly affected by VHL, nor was the neuromuscular upper body power after the RS-VHL protocol. Additionally, [La] was lower, and oxygen consumption was higher in RS-VHL, suggesting a higher aerobic contribution in this condition.

ASSESSING COORDINATION IN OPEN- AND CLOSED-SKILL SPORTS – MARTIAL ARTISTS AND SPRINT ATHLETES

For any sporting activity to be effective, movement coordination is essential. The purpose of this research was to explore the strengths and weaknesses of male athletes practicing open- and closed-skill sports, in terms of intersegmental coordination. It also examined differences related to the type of sport and athletes' performance, based on the results for intersegmental coordination results. The study involved 49 male athletes, some practicing martial arts (boxing and jiu-jitsu) and some practicing sprinting (100 meters). The RCMV computerized test, developed by the Romanian company RQ Plus, was used to assess intersegmental coordination. First, the study highlighted strengths and weaknesses in terms of intersegmental coordination in the case of the investigated open- and closed-skills sports (using one-sample t-test). Next, sport-related differences in coordination were explored, with the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner post-hoc test for multiple comparisons. Not least, the study assessed whether athletes’ results for intersegmental coordination were significantly related to their sports performance. The findings revealed that boxing athletes had better scores in choice reaction time than sprint athletes, and also outperformed male jiu-jitsu athletes in terms of resistance to disruptive factors in tasks requiring coordination. However, sprint athletes made significantly fewer errors when coordinating their movements quickly and steadily, compared to both boxing and jiu-jitsu athletes. Learning capacity or the coordination of upper and lower limbs in new, unfamiliar conditions was found to be essential for martial arts athletes, aiming for high sports performances.

Exploratory machine learning in high-level Jiu-Jitsu athletes suggests a review of categories and their rules based on anthropometric and handgrip strength data

Jiu-jitsu is the basis of mixed martial arts. In competitions, athletes are separated by age, gender, weight, and rank. Athletes promote successive gripping movements, demonstrating the importance of handgrip strength (HGS) in this modality. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether, by considering HGS, the competitive categories established in jiu-jitsu are well divided. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study. The sample consisted of 206 competing jiu-jitsu athletes. Anthropometric and HGS assessments were performed, along with descriptive statistics of the sample characteristics. Dissimilarity measures between observations of the study variable HGS were calculated, along with the effect size and Z score. Observing the grouping by weight categories, featherweight, and lightweight categories were dissimilar to the others, suggesting that, taking HGS as a basis, it makes sense to separate the athletes into two categories for absolute, one for featherweight and lightweight and another for the other categories. By age, there was only a similarity between Master 2 and 3 categories, suggesting a division of the absolute into three age categories. When investigated according to body mass index, there is a similarity between all categories. The HGS of jiu-jitsu athletes represents a significant difference and potential for athletes' performance. The present study suggests a review of weight and age categories in jiu-jitsu competitions, favoring competitions with more homogeneous categories and greater competitiveness and broad competition without discrepancies in the strength of its practitioners.

Exploring Choke Holds in Brazilian Jiujitsu Athletes: A Demographic Study.

Introduction Brazilian jiujitsu is a relatively new sport that has grown exponentially in popularity along with the growth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In jiujitsu, there are a variety of submissions with a choke hold being one of the most popular. There is a subset of athletes in jiujitsu who believes chokes are safe. However, there have been case reports of relatively young athletes suffering strokes secondary to internal carotid or vertebral artery dissections after being placed in choke holds. There have been manuscripts describing the injury profile in jiujitsu, but none mention stroke or dissections. This study evaluated how frequently chokes happen in jiujitsu and if athletes have ever experienced symptoms consistent with cervical artery dissection (CAD). Additionally, this study aimed to describe the training frequency and baseline demographics of jiujitsu athletes. Methods A survey was distributed throughout social media platforms which asked both quantitative and qualitative questions regarding athlete training. The survey consisted of 28 questions which collected largely baseline grappling information about the participants such as how long they trained, how often they spar, favorite submission, how frequently they are choked, etc. This data was then analyzed using odds ratio and one sample t-test to evaluate for statistical differences. Results A total of 521 participants were included in the analysis. The participants were mostly male (84.7%), trained for four years, four times per week; 99.8% (520) participated in sparring, with an average age of 37; and 55.7% (290) have experienced symptoms consistent with CAD. Descriptive statistics revealed that individuals who were 37 years of age or younger were more likely to experience symptoms consistent with CAD (odds ratio: 1.5337 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0827-2.1727). Athletes that were 37 years of age or younger have been training for fewer years (4.7 years vs 8.8 years)but train more days per week (4.03 times per week vs 3.76 time per week), drill for a longer amount of time (46.8 minutes per class vs 38.3 minutes per class), attend longer classes (81.12 minutes vs 72.3 minutes), and train for a longer period of time per week (338.5 minutes vs 274.6 minutes) than athletes over 37 years. All previously mentioned variables were analyzed using a one sample t-test and were significant at the α = 0.05 level. The lone qualitative question regarding the term "train brain" revealed that of those who experienced it, 84.1% (58) described it as a cognitive/physical impairing event. Conclusion Jiujitsu athletes train multiple times per week and are frequently exposed to choke holds. There is no literature to examine the long-term effects of these chokes on the athlete's cervical vasculature. Additional studies should be conducted to evaluate the effects of the repetitive stress placed on these vessels.

Nutrition status of elite Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training season

Optimizing high-intensity Jiu-Jitsu requires careful nutritional consideration, impacting body composition and performance. Balancing dietary intake with expenditure enhances athlete performance. This study, conducted with ten healthy Jiu-Jitsu athletes from the Jiu-Jitsu Association of Thailand, scrutinized their dietary intake compared to recommendations and its correlation with body composition to enhance performance and training adaptations. Participants completed three days of 24-hour dietary recalls. body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Across both genders, total energy intake is inadequate, with carbohydrate consumption falling significantly below the recommended levels (p < .05). Female athletes showed significant positive correlations between dietary intake and body composition, notably with protein intake and skeletal muscle mass percentage and the skeletal muscle mass index (r = .895, and .963, respectively, p < .05). Conversely, male athletes displayed no significant correlations, but a broader analysis across genders revealed a strong positive correlation between protein consumption and muscle mass (r = .685, p < .05). The study highlights inadequate dietary intake, particularly in carbohydrates, among Jiu-Jitsu athletes during training, potentially compromising competition performance due to insufficient energy sources. Addressing these nutritional deficiencies is crucial to optimizing performance and body composition, emphasizing the need for dietary practice improvements among Jiu-Jitsu athletes.

Evaluation of the oxidative profile in leukocytes of jiu jtisu athletes

Oxidative stress is a process where there is an increase in reactive species, both oxygen and nitrogen. This can happen at both systemic and mitochondrial levels. One of the physiological conditions currently associated with oxidative stress is high-performance physical activity. In this way, it is possible to relate that this problem impacts on sports competitions, especially in Jiu-Jitsu, a growing sport in the world and which demands intense physical effort. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the level of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation in leukocytes of jiu-jitsu athletes. 20 adult men were selected for the control group and 13 athletes for the experimental group. A blood collection was performed to perform MTT and chemiluminescence assays for an analysis of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation, respectively. In addition, two reactive nitrogen species were measured: nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. The evaluation of the leukocyte reducing capacity by MTT showed that the athletes presented a greater reducing environment compared to the control. On the other hand, the chemiluminescence evaluation showed that the athletes' leukocytes showed greater systemic oxidation. There was an increase in both reactive nitrogen species in alteta leukocytes. Given this, it was possible to notice that the athletes presented greater systemic oxidative stress, but with mitochondria with better adaptive capacity to the cell's metabolic demands.

Dynamic strength and muscle power in elite and non-elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes: a systemat-ic review with meta-analysis

A systematic review with meta-analysis on the dynamic strength and muscle power in elite and non-elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes is essential to provide a comprehensive and quantitative evaluation of the physical attributes critical for performance, allowing for a better understanding of the training needs and physical characteristics that distinguish different levels of athletes in this sport. Therefore, this study endeavors to comprehensively synthesize existing literature on muscle strength and power in the context of BJJ, making a comparative analysis between elite and non-elite athletes. The research was conducted up to April 20, 2022, employing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol to systematically search electronic databases using the keywords: "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu" or "BJJ" or "Jiu-jitsu" and "power" or "muscle power" or "physical fitness" or "muscle strength" or "strength." Following a rigorous selection process, 26 articles were included in the systematic review. Subsequently, the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) tool was employed for evidence assessment. The primary assessments of dynamic strength encompassed protocols involving the Bench press, squat, and pull-up-gi. In the context of muscle power, the meta-analysis considered parameters such as the countermovement jump (CMJ), standing long jump, and variables derived from jump power assessed on the force platform, including Peak velocity, peak power, mean power, and maximum force. The data showed a substantial effect size for strength [1.012 (p≤0.0001)] and a moderate effect size for power [0.619 (p≤0.0001)], indicating superior performance among elite athletes compared to their non-elite counterparts. Although power is predominant in most BJJ actions, strength emerges as a crucial element distinguishing elite from non-elite athletes in this sport. This realization carries significant implications for training and injury prevention, as both strength and power necessitate specialized training to enhance performance in the sport. Keywords: Physical Fitness, Martial Arts, Sport Physiology, Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena, Judo

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in body segments in Judo and Jiu-jitsu athletes

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in body segments in Judo and Jiu-jitsu athletes

The Dynamics of Victory: Exploring the Movement Patterns of Female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes in Win-ning and Losing Combats through Time-Motion Analysis

In the quest to understand the dynamics of female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) combats, this research delves into the world of winning and losing. By comparing time-motion analysis based on different outcomes, our objective was to unveil the movement patterns of victory. Our sample included 209 winning (W) versus 209 losing (L) female international BJJ combats, presenting a comprehensive picture of the combat landscape. Through time-motion analysis, we explored various BJJ combat phases, such as approach, gripping, transition, side control, mounting, attack, defense, low-intensity movement, and total time. The statistical results highlight significant differences between winners and losers in key aspects of the combats. Notably, side control (W= 47.7 [27.8; 96.5]s vs. L= 27.3 [20.3; 41.9]s), mount (W= 40.0 [16.6; 85.9]s vs. L= 15.9 [6.1; 25.6]s), attack (W= 50.1 [28.6; 86.7]s vs. L= 16.6 [7.7; 35.7]s), defense (W= 14.6 [6.6; 38.2]s vs. L= 38.8 [17.7; 77.0]s), and low-intensity movement (W= 55.9 [23.4; 132.2]s vs. L= 111.5 [58.7; 225.6]s) revealed differences between the winners and losers. The implications extend to sports psychology and judo training, providing knowledge for enhancing performance, optimizing training programs, and making strategic decisions during combat. Keywords: sports psychology, technical-tactical analysis, task performance and analysis, judo, martial arts.

Body composition and handgrip strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes: a systematic review

Body composition and handgrip strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes: a systematic review

Effect of rapid weight loss on mood states and burnout of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process.

The current study aimed to analyze the psychological alterations resulting from rapid weight loss in the mood states and burnout of male Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. For the purpose of this study, 31 Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes participated, divided into two groups (RWLG: rapid weight loss group and CG: control group). Data collections were performed at three moments (1: baseline, before weight loss; 2: weigh-in, during the official competition; and 3: recovery, 7 to 10 days after the competition), with application of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Considering the outcomes, for body mass, the athletes from RWLG presented mean reductions of 3.5 kg (4.2% of the initial body mass). For mood states, both groups (RWLG and CG) presented a moment effect for tension and confusion, with higher levels during weigh-in compared to baseline and recovery (p < 0.05). For burnout, both groups showed low levels of burnout, with no effect of moment, group, or interaction in the analyses (p > 0.05). Based on these results, it is concluded that weight loss, in the magnitude performed in this study, did not generate an additional impact on mood or level of burnout in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes during a competitive process.

Effects and symptoms of dehydration in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes

Objective. To measure rapid weight loss and urinary indicators of hydration status, as well as to assess the effects and symptoms of dehydration in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athletes at different moments. Methods. 17 male BJJ athletes (aged: 24.4 ± 3.5 years; body mass (BM): 76.8 ± 14.6 kg; body fat: 16.6 ± 6.4%), were evaluated between 8 and 9 am at three different moments: Baseline (10 days pre- competition), measurement of BM and stature, collection of urine samples, and food record of the previous 24 hours; pre-competition, measurement of BM, urine samples, and questionnaire to assess rapid weight loss (RWL), and post-competition (24h after), day after competition, with measurement of BM, and urine samples for analysis of specific gravity. Results. There was a tendency to decrease BM to compete (baseline: 76.8 ± 14.6 kg, pre-competition: 75.4 ± 13.4 kg, post-competition: 77.3 ± 13.7 kg; p &lt; 0.07), with 88.2% of athletes using methods that increase dehydration. The majority of athletes were dehydrated at the three time points of the study (94.1%; USG = 1.021 ± 0.005 Usg at baseline, 88.2%; 1.020 ± 0.007 Usg at pre-competition, 88.2%; 1.022 ± 0.008 Usg on the post-competition day), accompanied by symptoms associated with RWL (82.4% increased heart rate, 52.9% headache, 47.1% hot flashes, 41.2% nausea, 41.2% disorientation, and 29.4% dizziness). Conclusions. Rapid pre-competitive weight loss and symptoms associated with dehydration were observed in the BJJ athletes. It is recommended that educational measures are promoted to inhibit RWL among BJJ athletes, requiring the engagement of health professionals and organizations that govern the sport (federations and confederations).

Injuries among Brazilian male Jiu-Jitsu athletes

Injuries among Brazilian male Jiu-Jitsu athletes

FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SHOULDER IN JIU-JITSU BLACK BELT ATHLETES.

To assess the epidemiological profile of Jiu-Jitsu black belt athletes, including the prevalence of pain and shoulder function. Cross-sectional study carried out with Jiu-Jitsu athletes from 2014 to 2016. The studied variables were: sex, age, dominant limb, weight, height, profession, time of Jiu-Jitsu practice, weekly training hours, other practiced sports, comorbidities, injuries and previous surgeries, medications and habits. For the functional assessment of the shoulder, the ASES Score was used. 53 male athletes were evaluated. There was a prevalence of alcohol consumption (60.4%) and supplement use (32.1%). The practice of other sports included weight training (49.1%) and other martial arts (17%). There was a prevalence of knee (66.0%) and shoulder (52.8%) injuries and, in some cases, the need for surgical procedures. There was a prevalence of shoulder pain (73.6%) and more than half of the athletes (52.9%) had minimal or moderate limitation of shoulder function. Jiu-jitsu black belt athletes often have a history of injuries, with the shoulder being the second most affected body part. In more than half of the athletes, there was a prevalence of shoulder pain and functional limitation, according to the ASES Score. Level of evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

Effects of Photobiomodulation on High-Intensity Intermittent Anaerobic Performance of Lower Limbs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: a Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Effects of Photobiomodulation on High-Intensity Intermittent Anaerobic Performance of Lower Limbs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes: a Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Prevalence and Profile of Musculoskeletal Injuries in High-Performance Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

Background Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) has become popular over the past years; however, few studies investigated the prevalence of injuries in this martial art modality. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in BJJ competitors along with their profile and characteristics. Methods One-hundred fifteen athletes were included in this cross-sectional study. A hundred fifteen professional high-performance athletes were selected from twenty-five BJJ gyms in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Descriptive analyses were used to demonstrate the athlete’s individual characteristics, and the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test was used to assess the significant differences between the number of injuries categorized by athlete’s belt or performance level category. Additionally, the Fisher’s exact test was used to assess possible differences between frequency of total injuries and injuries per affected site among the belts. Results We observed an injury prevalence of 85.2%, in which knee (32.6%), shoulder (11.2%) and elbow (8.4%) were the most affected regions. We did not find any significant differences between the number of injuries and belt classification (p=0.093) or for the frequency of total injuries per anatomical region among belt classification (p=0.121). Most injuries occurred during training (74%), and the main reason for time loss from training activities was due to trauma (70%). Conclusions There is a high prevalence of injuries among BJJ competitors, and the most affected site was the knee.

Differences in Body Balance According to Body Mass Classification among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes.

Background: Body weight is an important aspect in the development of components of physical fitness that can affect athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in body balance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes according to body mass classification: underweight/normal weight (UW/NW); overweight/obese (OW/OB). Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 69 BJJ athletes (age 23.26 ± 3.53) and 93 non-practicing adults (age 21.73 ± 2.32). This study was based on a quantitative assessment of body balance on the Zebris PDM platform during two tests, i.e., with eyes open and closed. Results: The total path of the center of pressure (COP TTL) was significantly higher in participants with UW/NW compared to those with OW/OB, both in participants from the study group and control group (p < 0.001). COP TTL was significantly lower in UW/NW BJJ athletes than in participants in the control group with the same BMI category (987.4 mm vs. 1238.5 mm and 1080.59 mm vs. 1280.70 mm, respectively) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. BJJ training is associated with a better balance in terms of COP TTL in the case of people with normal or underweight. The presence of excess body weight has a positive effect on lower COP TTL values in both practicing and non-practicing people.

Acute Supplementation with Capsaicin Enhances Upper-Limb Performance in Male Jiu-Jitsu Athletes.

The present study investigated whether acute capsaicin (CAP) supplementation improves mean power output (MPO) and peak velocity (PV) during the performance of the free bench press exercise (FBP). Twelve (n = 12) male Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes (age: 24.3 ± 1.5 years, height: 1.74 ± 0.1 m, body mass: 75.7 ± 10.1 kg) participated in this randomized, placebo (PLA)-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. For each condition, 45 min after CAP (12 mg purified) or PLA (12 mg of Celulomax E) consumption, the participants performed four sets of five repetitions of FBP at a load of 60% of body mass with five-min rest intervals. The MPO (t = 5.6, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.3, IC 95% = −0.55 to 1.05) and PV (t = 5.4, df = 11, p = 0.001, EF = 0.5, IC 95% = −0.32 to 1.30) were significantly higher with CAP supplementation versus PLA. Acute CAP supplementation appears to improve MPO and PV during FBP in male BJJ athletes.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION SIMULATION AND TRAINING ON STRENGTH AND DAMAGE INDICATORS IN JIU-JITSU

ABSTRACT Background: The relationship between training and competition is very important and aims at a more specific and adequate preparation in Jiu-Jitsu. Problem and objective: To evaluate the relationship between training and competition through indications of injury and muscle strength. Methods: The study sample included nine subjects (22.54 ± 2.77 years of age) who were submitted to the following two conditions: 1) training simulation and 2) competition simulation. Results: There were no significant differences in the countermovement jump (CMJ) test. However, 48 hours after training there was an indication of values higher than the post-competition ones. Creatine kinase (CK) indicated significant differences in muscle damage after competition in relation to the other conditions and moments (p &lt;0.01) with a high effect. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed differences in the moments before, during, and after both competition and training conditions (p &lt;0.05) with a high effect. The power of the upper limbs (PUL) showed a medium correlation at 24h (&gt; 0.55) and 48h (0.47) after the intervention. There was high correlation (&gt; 0.70) for all conditions in the squat jump (SJ). LDH showed a high correlation (&gt; 0.70) at 48 hours. Conclusion: There was a good correlation between training and competition simulation, which tends to indicate that the training model used in the study properly prepare Jiu-Jitsu athletes for the demands of competition. Level of evidence I; High-quality randomized clinical trial with or without a statistically significant difference, but with narrow confidence intervals.