Martial Arts Competition Research Articles

Short and Long Term Effects of a Simulated Mixed Martial Arts Competition

Short and Long Term Effects of a Simulated Mixed Martial Arts Competition

Identifying the performance characteristics of a winning outcome in elite mixed martial arts competition.

To determine those performance indicators that have the greatest influence on classifying outcome at the elite level of mixed martial arts (MMA). A secondary objective was to establish the efficacy of decision tree analysis in explaining the characteristics of victory when compared to alternate statistical methods. Cross-sectional observational. Eleven raw performance indicators from male Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts (n=234) from July 2014 to December 2014 were screened for analysis. Each raw performance indicator was also converted to a rate-dependent measure to be scaled to fight duration. Further, three additional performance indicators were calculated from the dataset and included in the analysis. Cohen's d effect sizes were employed to determine the magnitude of the differences between Wins and Losses, while decision tree (chi-square automatic interaction detector (CHAID)) and discriminant function analyses (DFA) were used to classify outcome (Win and Loss). Effect size comparisons revealed differences between Wins and Losses across a number of performance indicators. Decision tree (raw: 71.8%; rate-scaled: 76.3%) and DFA (raw: 71.4%; rate-scaled 71.2%) achieved similar classification accuracies. Grappling and accuracy performance indicators were the most influential in explaining outcome. The decision tree models also revealed multiple combinations of performance indicators leading to victory. The decision tree analyses suggest that grappling activity and technique accuracy are of particular importance in achieving victory in elite-level MMA competition. The DFA results supported the importance of these performance indicators. Decision tree induction represents an intuitive and slightly more accurate approach to explaining bout outcome in this sport when compared to DFA.

Analysis of injury types for mixed martial arts athletes.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the types of injuries associated with mixed martial arts and their location in order to provide substantial information to help reduce the risk of these injuries during mixed martial arts. [Subjects and Methods] Data were collected from 455 mixed martial arts athletes who practiced mixed martial arts or who participated in mixed martial arts competitions in the Seoul Metropolitan City and Gyeongnam Province of Korea between June 3, 2015, and November 6, 2015. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. The convenience sampling method was used, based on the non-probability sampling extraction method. [Results] The arm, neck, and head were the most frequent locations of the injuries; and lacerations, concussions, and contusions were the most frequently diagnosed types of injuries in the mixed martial arts athletes in this study. [Conclusion] Reducing the risk of injury by establishing an alert system and preventing critical injuries by incorporating safety measures are important.

Low Risk of Injuries in Young Adolescents Participating in Top-Level Karate Competition

Background: Prospective studies on injuries in martial arts competition are scarce, especially those involving young practitioners, but the upsurge of children and adolescents taking part in organized training and competition in these sports requires clarification of the injury risk that they represent for youths. Hypothesis: Top-level karate competition for young adolescents (cadets, or 14- to 15-year-olds) has a low injury rate and can be safely promoted. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Prospective recording of the injuries resulting from all bouts in 3 consecutive World Karate Championships (2009, 2011, and 2013) for cadets was performed. Data were collected prospectively in situ with checklists that described competitor sex, bout category, and weight as well as injured area, diagnosis, mechanism of injury, severity, and treatment. Results: A total of 1020 bouts were reviewed, 671 in the male category and 349 in the female category. A total of 61 injuries were recorded. Of those, only 3 were time-loss injuries. During the 2009 and 2011 championships, there was 1 injury per 25.6 fights, while during the 2013 championship the number of injuries increased, with 1 injury per 10 fights (P = .003). There was no statistical difference in the total injury rate between the male and female categories (P = .71), with an odds ratio of 1.16 (95% CI, 0.52-2.55). Conclusion: The injury rate for cadet top-level karate competition found in this prospective study is much lower than the rates previously published for karate or other martial arts competitions, but there seems to be a marked increase as more championships are held, which is a matter of concern.

Can height categories replace weight categories in striking martial arts competitions? A pilot study.

In most combat sports and martial arts, athletes compete within weight categories. Disordered eating behaviors and intentional pre-competition rapid weight loss are commonly seen in this population, attributed to weight categorization. We examined if height categories can be used as an alternative to weight categories for competition, in order to protect the health of athletes.Height and weight of 169 child and adolescent competitive karate athletes were measured. Participants were divided into eleven hypothetical weight categories of 5 kg increments, and eleven hypothetical height categories of 5 cm increments. We calculated the coefficient of variation of height and weight by each division method. We also calculated how many participants fit into corresponding categories of both height and weight, and how many would shift a category if divided by height.There was a high correlation between height and weight (r = 0.91, p<0.001). The mean range of heights seen within current weight categories was reduced by 83% when participants were divided by height. When allocating athletes by height categories, 74% of athletes would shift up or down one weight category at most, compared with the current categorization method.We conclude that dividing young karate athletes by height categories significantly reduced the range of heights of competitors within the category. Such categorization would not cause athletes to compete against much heavier opponents in most cases. Using height categories as a means to reduce eating disorders in combat sports should be further examined.

Susceptibility To Injury During Falls In Women Practising Combat Sports And Martial Arts

Abstract Introduction . Martial arts and combat sports are practical sports that are being practised by an increasing number of women. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the ability of female judo, taekwondo and karate competitors to fall safely and their susceptibility to injuries during falls. Material and methods . A total of 120 persons participated in the research. The study group consisted of 45 female judo, taekwondo (WTF) and karate Shotokan competitors; in the control group there were 75 persons who did not practise sport professionally. The research tools included the Test of Susceptibility to Injury during Falls (TSIDF) developed by Kalina and a questionnaire designed by the authors. Results . The female martial arts competitors had considerably lower TSIDF results (p&lt;0.001), which means that they made fewer errors when performing motor tasks. The mean result of the TSIDF was 2.48 for the study group and 6.08 for the control one. Significant differences (p&lt;0.001) were found between the groups for all types of errors and all of the motor tasks. Conclusions . Women practising combat sports and martial arts made significantly fewer errors in the Test of Susceptibility to Injuries During Falls, which can be seen as evidence for the practical usefulness of the training they are undergoing.

An Alarm Pheromone May Be Released by Defeated Competitors: A Possible Indicator of Danger

Among many species, the establishment of hierarchical relations contains a highly ritualized behavioral context accompanied by the delivery of volatile agents, namely ketones and aldehydes, into environment. These substances act as signals contributing to defining and maintaining social hierarchies. Among mammals, some volatile compounds are released into the environment to report the presence of danger or conflict to conspecifics. For example, rats release an alarm pheromone, 2-heptanone, through their urine when subjected to physical stress. However, it is unknown whether some similarity occurs in human being, in spite that many possible alarm compounds have been identified in human fluids, including 2-heptanone. Contact sports may represent a situation of psychosocial interaction in which some hierarchy is established at the end of the contest. In such a case, the first match in martial arts competitions represents a natural model that is seemingly useful for studying alarm conditions in humans since there are two outcomes, winner and non-winner and after a stressful situation represented by contest, some kind of hierarchy is established. The present study measured urinary concentrations of 2-heptanone using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and applied anxiety measures (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) in a sample of healthy student athletes. Compared with martial-arts winners, the characteristics of the non-winners included an increase in their urinary 2-heptanone content (F2,18 = 5.541, p < 0.01), with no changes in anxiety scores (STAI-T: F2,18 = 0.052, p = 0.949; and STAI-S: F2,18 = 1.083, p = 0.360). The production of this ketone seems to be related with metabolic routes of fatty acids involving the participation of the so called stress hormones that may lead to an increase in the lipolysis of fatty acids and production of their metabolites, and among them, 2-heptanone. The increased release of 2-heptanone at the end of the match in non-winners may be interpreted as the release of an alarm signal that indicates imminent danger, similar to the occurrence in other species.

Injury Profile of Mixed Martial Arts Competitors

To provide an updated comprehensive profile of mixed martial arts (MMAs) injuries. Correlational and multivariate analyses were conducted on cross-sectional data to examine injuries sustained during 711 MMA bouts. One physician diagnosed any injuries occurring during the bouts. Various sports venues in Kansas and Missouri holding MMA competitions. Male and female and amateur and professional MMA competitors contributing to 1422 fight participations (fight participations = 711 bouts × 2 fighters/bout). State, level (amateur or professional), gender, number of rounds, and bout outcome (knockout/technical knockout [KO/TKO] vs other outcomes [eg, decision]). Injuries/fight participations, injury sustained (yes vs no), and fighter referred to emergency room (ER; yes vs no). The overall injury rate was 8.5% of fight participations (121 injuries/1422 fight participations) or 5.6% of rounds (121/2178 rounds). Injury rates were similar between men and women, but a greater percentage of the injuries caused an altered mental state in men. The risk of being injured was significantly greater for bouts held in Kansas, at the professional level, lasting more rounds, and ending in a KO/TKO. Fighters also were more likely to be referred to the ER if they participated in longer bouts ending in a KO/TKO. The observed injury rate was lower than previously reported suggesting recent regulatory changes have made MMA a safer sport. Increased clinical awareness and additional research should be extended to head-related injuries in MMAs especially those associated with KOs/TKOs.

전국교도관 무도대회 태권도 변천과정 고찰

The purpose of this study is to examine the transition process of the Taekwondo event at the National Prison Guard Martial Arts Competition. The results of the examination are as follows. First, Taekwondo was first introduced as an official event at the 16th National Prison Guard Martial Arts Competition in 1978. The National Prison Guard Martial Arts Competition was first held in 1949 at the tourney hall of the Prison Guard School with Judo being its only competing event. Judo was added at the 2nd Competition in 1955. The competition was held by separating competitors for the three events of Judo, Kendo and Taekwondo into two separate groups of senior players and junior players. Second, the progression of Taekwondo originated from the training of Taekwondo players and Taekwondo demonstrations through the continued election of Taekwondo as an official event of the National Prison Guard Martial Arts Competition as of the 16th Competition in 1978 through the 48th Competition in 2013. In particular, the creation of scenarios for Taekwondo demonstrations and training for such demonstrations by assembling together prison guards that practiced Taekwondo and conducting collective camp training for two months provided the opportunity to stimulate interest in and development of Taekwondo. Third, Taekwondo was able to position itself as a permanent event through its election as a curriculum at the Legal Research and Training Institute, the special employment of senior martial arts experts and the active organization of martial arts clubs nation-wide. In particular, the appointment of prison guards that were specially hired as martial arts experts to correctional centers nationwide served as the underlying drive for the increase in the number of competitors at the National Prison Guard Martial Arts Competition as well as the cultivation of practical skills by providing systematic martial arts training for each event to prison guards. Furthermore, Taekwondo is becoming a permanent curriculum for judicial correctional officers through the offering of systematic instructions by Taekwondo instructors. In 2014, there are currently about 1,500 Taekwondo trainees that are affiliated with national correctional centers. Among such trainees, there are about 167 senior experts that have a master level, fourth-degree black belt or higher.

Maximizing university students’ motor fitness by implementing a physical education program incorporating martial arts – implicational study

Martial arts are ancient forms of combat, modified for modern sport and exercise. Participation in martial arts classes is growing in popularity, particularly among young people of both sexes, which was confirmed by the research conducted over the last two decades [1,2,3]. Martial arts provide health-promoting and meaningful exercise for millions of practitioners. Training martial arts can increase self-reliance and lead to better overall health and balance as well as an improved sense of mental well-being and numerous benefits to the autonomic nervous and immune systems [4]. Martial arts do not promote aggression and may be used as a treatment modality for young people who are prone to violent behavior [3]. Skills gained when practicing martial arts are very useful in everyday life and should not be associated only with self-defense. Many aspects of combat sports are used in other forms of health training or as an indicator of an individual’s ability to survive in a given environment (such as the ability to fall when losing balance) [5,6]. There are only few studies that have been conducted to gain an understanding of why people participate in martial arts [7,8]. Findings indicate that practitioners of martial arts are motivated differently across the types of martial arts disciplines, competition orientation and past experiences [9]. Self-defense courses, which have been organized for students at the University of Warmia & Mazury in Olsztyn (UWM) since 2005 as a substitute of P.E. lessons, reflect the popularity of such a form of physical activity among young adults. The fact that these classes are of a recreational and voluntary kind attracts a large group of university students who, apart from fulfilling the physical education requirements, are given an opportunity to gain self-defense and combat skills. Although women have been known to train martial arts longer than commonly believed, in the case of the classes held at UWM men constituted an overwhelming majority, which

Kinesthetic Sense and Awareness in Wrestling: The Structure, Conditions and Development of an “Opponent's Feeling”

ABSTRACTThe level of coordination abilities is of crucial importance in combat sports and martial arts. Its particular and very specific manifestation is the “opponent's feeling” which exerts a considerable impact on the effectiveness of the fight. Despite the considerable importance of the “opponent's feeling” this problem has been treated very marginally so far. The proof of the fact is the lack of verylittle number of publications [Blady et al., 1998; Starosta, 2003] and attempts to define the notion, to describe its structure and conditions of development. Therefore, the aim of the work was: 1. Define the term of “opponent's feeling” in combat sports and martial arts competitors. 2. Specify components (structure) of “opponent's feeling”. 3. Define the conditions of high level of “opponent's feeling”. 4. Attempt to establish the conditions affecting the “opponent's feeling” and methods of its development. 5. Look for reserves as far as the development of movement coordination, and focus particularly on...

Determination of biomechanical differences between elite and novice San Shou female athletes

Determining the key factors in athletic performance is important for developing the technique and strength of athletes. Many martial arts forms have been studied, but a relatively new form of martial arts competition, San Shou, has not been analyzed. The purpose of this study was to determine key attributes necessary in the development of the San Shou athlete, particularly in female participants. Six elite and six novice competitors performed 30 continuous repetitions of cyclic extension and flexion of the trunk segment, knee joints, and elbows joints at two velocities, 60°/second and 180°/second, using an isokinetic dynamometer. Variables of interest were maximum torque production, normalized torque (Nm/kg), fatigue indexes (average of three maximal forces in the first three cycles/average of maximal forces in the last three cycles), and rate of torque development (Nm/s). Results indicate significant differences between groups only during trunk flexion for maximum torque, normalized torque, and rate of force development, whereas differences between movement velocities were apparent for multiple variables at each anatomic region. These analyses assist in providing further information regarding the possible key factors in developing the San Shou female athlete. Further work is required to identify additional parameters in developing the San Shou athlete.

Fading red? No evidence that color of trunks influences outcomes in the ultimate fighting championship (UFC)

Fading red? No evidence that color of trunks influences outcomes in the ultimate fighting championship (UFC)

A Study on the Transition Process of Martial Arts Competition Rules and the Vitalization of Hapkido Competition

A Study on the Transition Process of Martial Arts Competition Rules and the Vitalization of Hapkido Competition

A Comparative Study on Strength between American College Male and Female Students in Caucasian and Asian Populations

A Comparative Study on Strength between American College Male and Female Students in Caucasian and Asian Populations Muscle strength has been considered as a major factor on sport performance, martial arts competitions, self-defense, and other physical activities. The purpose of the study was to investigate potential difference on muscle strength between male and female college students. The results indicated that the muscle strength of female students is significantly lower than male students on strength of arm, upperbody and chest, shoulder, leg, and abdominal. Females have 37-68% of muscle strength of males in general. The difference on muscle strength between females and males is more on upper body, and less on lower body. Females are relatively stronger on their legs than arms and shoulders.

The “Sweet Science” of Reducing Periorbital Lacerations in Mixed Martial Arts

The popularity of mixed martial arts competitions and televised events has grown exponentially since its inception, and with the growth of the sport, unique facial injury patterns have surfaced. In particular, upper eyelid and brow lacerations are common and are especially troublesome given the effect of hemorrhage from these areas on the fighter's vision and thus ability to continue. We propose that the convexity of the underlying supraorbital rim is responsible for the high frequency of lacerations in this region after blunt trauma and offer a method of reducing subsequent injury by reducing its prominence.

Vomiting as a reliable sign of concussion

Concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury, with headache being the most frequent symptom of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) (including dizziness, vomiting, nausea, lack of motor coordination or difficulty balancing). Concussion may be caused by a blow to the head, or by acceleration forces without a direct impact. Often, MTBI occurs as the result of a sports injury. Loss of consciousness is always present, unlike vomiting. Therefore, we hypothesize vomiting to be considered as a cardinal sign of concussion. Stimulation of vomiting centres finally triggers vomiting. Professional boxers and mixed martial arts competitions reluctantly agree with stringent rules and protective clothing. We discuss the issue of further protection for those engaged in these and other sports.

Current Review of Injuries Sustained in Mixed Martial Arts Competition

Mixed martial arts (MMA) have enjoyed a tremendous growth in popularity over the past 10 years, yet there remains a paucity of information with respect to common injuries sustained in MMA competitions. In the available studies, certain trends pertaining to risk factors for injury, as well as the most common injuries sustained in MMA competition, were noted. Common risk factors include being the losing fighter, history of knockout or technical knockout, and longer fight duration. Common injuries that were noted include lacerations and abrasions, followed by injuries to the face and ocular region. Concussions with or without loss of consciousness also were noted in MMA competition.

A Review of Time-Motion Analysis and Combat Development in Mixed Martial Arts Matches at Regional Level Tournaments

Mixed martial arts (MMA) have become a fast-growing worldwide expansion of martial arts competition, requiring high level of skill, physical conditioning, and strategy, and involving a synthesis of combat while standing or on the ground. This study quantified the effort-pause ratio (EP), and classified effort segments of stand-up or groundwork development to identify the number of actions performed per round in MMA matches. 52 MMA athletes participated in the study (M age = 24 yr., SD = 5; average experience in MMA = 5 yr., SD = 3). A one-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was conducted to compare the type of action across the rounds. A chi-squared test was applied across the percentages to compare proportions of different events. Only one significant difference (p < .05) was observed among rounds: time in groundwork of low intensity was longer in the second compared to the third round. When the interval between rounds was not considered, the EP ratio (between high-intensity effort to low-intensity effort plus pauses) was 1:2 to 1:4. This ratio is between ratios typical for judo, wrestling, karate, and taekwondo and reflects the combination of ground and standup techniques. Most of the matches ended in the third round, involving high-intensity actions, predominantly executed during groundwork combat.

The Aesthetic Appreciation of the Epochal and National Character of Competitive Martial Art Routines

With the temporal aesthetics as the mainstream background, the aesthetics appreciation of competitive martial art routines reflects obviously the characteristic of aesthetic globalization, which is just as same as the aesthetic characteristic of the programs mainly based on skills. While the competitive martial arts also inherited the essence of Chinese traditional aesthetics，that’s to say, pursuing artistic conception and the beauty of skills. After 2008, in order to promote the Olympic process of competitive martial art routine, we must enhance the aesthetic values of it in the whole world. When facing the two distinct characteristics of competitive martial arts’ fixed routine—epochal spirit and nationality, whether we choose just one or both is worthy of thinking. Zhang Dainian, Cheng Yishan pointed out in the book the Debate of Chinese Culture and Culture Theory that culture has both the characteristics of epochal spirit and nationality and the relationship between the two characteristics is general and specific. Cultures of different ethnic groups in the same era have the same epochal characteristics, which is general. And different ethnic groups have their own national features in the same era, which is specific. With the changes of the needs of current time, the aesthetics of martial arts becomes more and more important and especially the aesthetics for the fixed routine of competitive martial arts should adhere to the Olympic motto, “higher, faster, stronger” and it should also attract more audience, make more people appreciate its beauty and embodies higher aesthetic value. Competitive martial arts was not a formal program in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, however, it doesn’t mean that it will never enter the Olympics. This article analyzes the aesthetic situation from the perspectives of temporal spirit and nationality, searching further for a breakthrough of the development of competitive martial arts’ fixed routines.