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Reale R, Wang J, Hu Stull C, French D, Amasinger D, Wang R. Acute and Chronic Weight-Making Practice in Professional Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: An Analysis of 33 Athletes Across 80 Fights. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2024; 34:275-285. [PMID: 38871343 DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Mixed martial arts' popularity has increased in recent years, alongside descriptive research and evidence-based performance recommendations. Guidelines for (both chronic and acute) weight making exist; however, how these translate in real-life scenarios and detailed investigations on practices in larger groups deserve attention. The present study examined the body mass (BM) and composition of 33 professional mixed martial arts athletes preparing for 80 fights. Athletes were supported by on-site dietitians, who encouraged evidence-based practices. Fasted BM was measured throughout the last ∼10 days before all bouts (acute weight management phase). A subset of athletes had body composition assessed before and after the chronic weight loss phase for 40 fights. Most athletes engaged in chronic BM loss, and all engaged in acute weight loss. Many lost fat-free mass (FFM) during the chronic phase, with rates of BM loss <0.5% best preserving FFM. Regardless of losses, the present athletes possessed greater FFM than other combat sport athletes and engaged in greater acute weight loss. Dehydration in the 24-48 hr before the weigh-in was not reflective of weight regain after the weigh-in, rather BM 7-10 days before the weigh-in was most reflective. These findings suggest that many mixed martial arts athletes could increase FFM at the time of competition by maintaining leaner physiques outside of competition and/or allowing increased time to reduce BM chronically. Acutely, athletes can utilize evidence-based protocols, eliminating carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, and finally fluid in a staged approach, before the weigh-in, reducing the amount of sweating required, thus theoretically better protecting health and preserving performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid Reale
- UFC Performance Institute, Shanghai, SHG, China
| | - Junzhu Wang
- UFC Performance Institute, Shanghai, SHG, China
| | | | | | | | - Ran Wang
- Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, SHG, China
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Dunican IC, Galpin A, Turner M, Reale R. Sleep Behaviors and Nutritional Knowledge in Amateur and Professional Combat Sport Athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2024; 38:1627-1634. [PMID: 38985931 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Dunican, IC, Galpin, A, Turner, M, and Reale, R. Sleep behaviors and nutritional knowledge in amateur and professional combat sport athletes. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1627-1634, 2024-Combat sports is a term applied to various competitive contact sports involving 2 competitors engaging in a bout or contest under a specific ruleset. Little is known about combat sports athletes' sleep and nutritional knowledge. This study aimed to assess (a) sleep behaviors, (b) alcohol and shiftwork disorders, and (c) the nutritional knowledge of combat sports athletes. Subjects completed various demographic questions and estimations of their weight management practices and validated surveys, including the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire, Shiftwork Disorder (SWD) Screening Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and the Abridged Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire. A total of 844 combat sports athletes completed the survey, 79% male, height of 177 ± 10 (cm), and body mass of 79 ± 15 (kg). Subjects were categorized into their specific combat sport type (e.g., boxing or Brazilian jiu-jitsu [BJJ]) and by their level (professional or amateur). Sleep quality was average for all combat sport types and risk prevalence of shiftwork disorder at 11%. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that amateurs, compared with professional strikers ( p = 0.046, CLES = 0.80), boxers ( p = 0.01, CLES = 0.78), and BJJ ( p = 0.046, CLES = 0.61) athletes, consumed significantly more alcohol. A Friedman test showed significant ( p < 0.001, W = 0.51) differences in weight between time points, with most combat sports athletes reducing weight for competition. An overall nutritional knowledge average of 55% was reported. This study highlights a critical gap in the knowledge and practices of combat sports athletes in relation to sleep behaviors and disorders, alcohol consumption, and nutritional knowledge, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Dunican
- Center for Sleep Science, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Melius Consulting, Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Galpin
- Center for Sport Performance, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, California
| | - Mitchell Turner
- Melius Consulting, Mount Hawthorn, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; and
| | - Reid Reale
- UFC Performance Institute, Shanghai, Performance Nutrition Department, Shanghai, China
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Gonçalves AF, Miarka B, Maurício CDA, Teixeira RPA, Brito CJ, Ignácio Valenzuela Pérez D, Slimani M, Znazen H, Bragazzi NL, Reis VM. Enhancing performance: unveiling the physiological impact of submaximal and supramaximal tests on mixed martial arts athletes in the -61 kg and -66 kg weight divisions. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1257639. [PMID: 38283281 PMCID: PMC10811793 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1257639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
This study delves into the intricate details of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) by examining key variables such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), aerobic energy (EAER), anaerobic energy (EAN), and accumulated O2 deficit (DOA). By investigating associations and comparing athletes in the -61 kg bantamweight and -66 kg featherweight weight divisions, we aim to shed light on their physiological characteristics. The sample consisted of 20 male volunteers separated into two paired groups: ten athletes in the category up to 61 kg (age: 27.7 ± 5.9 years old, height: 170.9 ± 3.4 cm, body mass: 72.8 ± 1.4 kg, fat percentage: 9.5% ± 3.0%, professional experience: 7.5 ± 7.1 years) and ten athletes up to 66 kg (age: 27.6 ± 2.9 years old, height: 176.0 ± 5.5 cm, body mass: 77.0 ± 1.5 kg, fat percentage: 7.85% ± 0.3%, professional experience: 5.5 ± 1.5 years). Remarkably, our findings revealed striking similarities between the two weight divisions. Furthermore, we discovered a negative correlation between VO2 peak and the number of MMA fights, indicating a potential impact of professional experience on aerobic capacity (r = -0.65, p < 0.01). Additionally, the number of fights exhibited negative correlations with anaerobic energy (r = -0.53, p < 0.05) and total energy cost (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). These results provide valuable insights for designing training programs in the context of MMA. While training both weight divisions together can be beneficial, it is equally crucial to incorporate specific weight-class-focused training to address each division's unique physical demands and requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandro Ferreira Gonçalves
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Performance in Sports and Combats, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bianca Miarka
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Performance in Sports and Combats, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Clóvis de Albuquerque Maurício
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Performance in Sports and Combats, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Pereira Azevedo Teixeira
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Performance in Sports and Combats, Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ciro José Brito
- Sciences of Physical Activity, Sports and Health School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Maamer Slimani
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Genoa University, Genoa, Italy
| | - Hela Znazen
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, College of Education, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Victor Machado Reis
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
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Evans C, Stull C, Sanders G, Ricci A, French D, Antonio J, Peacock CA. Weight cutting in female UFC fighters. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2023; 20:2247384. [PMID: 37621001 PMCID: PMC10453969 DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2247384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is common practice for fight sport athletes to use a variety of weight manipulation strategies to compete in desired weight classes. Although numerous studies have highlighted rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies and the magnitude of weight loss, few have focused specifically on weight loss in female fighters. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information on professional UFC female fighters engaging in RWL in all women's UFC weight divisions: strawweight (52.2 kg): flyweight (56.7 kg); bantamweight (61.2 kg); featherweight (65.8 kg). METHODS All fighter's weights were obtained at five separate time points: 72 hrs. pre-weigh-in, 48 hrs. pre-weigh-in, 24hrs. pre-weigh-in, official weigh-in, and 24 hrs. post-weigh-in (competition weight). Mixed effects models and random effects analysis were used to assess changes in weight and differences between weight divisions. All statistics were analyzed, and significance was set at p ≤0.05. Significant changes in weight between all time points were reported. RESULTS No statistical differences between weight divisions were observed. Female fighters lost 4.5-6.6% of their weight prior to the official weigh-in. CONCLUSION Females engaged in RWL practices lose weight in a similar fashion irrespective of weight class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Evans
- Nova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | | | - Gabriel Sanders
- Northern Kentucky University, Department of Kinesiology and Health, Highland Heights, KY, USA
| | - Anthony Ricci
- Nova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Duncan French
- UFC Performance Institute, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Australia Catholic University, School of Health Sciences, Melbourne, Australia
- Edith Cowan University, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jose Antonio
- Nova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Corey A. Peacock
- Nova Southeastern University, Department of Health and Human Performance, Fight Science Lab, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
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