The influence of aerobic capacity on the loads and intensities of mixed martial arts sparring bouts.

Kirk, Christopher; Clark, David; Langan-Evans, Carl

Abstract

The influence of aerobic variables on mixed martial arts (MMA) performance is currently unknown. This study aimed to compare the laboratory-measured aerobic variables of MMA participants to the external load and intensity of MMA sparring bouts to determine the effect of aerobic capacity on performance. Ten participants (age = 24 ± 2.8 years; mass = 74.3 ± 8.2 kg; stature = 176.8 ± 7.9 cm) completed the following: a treadmill-graded exercise test to measure V̇O2max, VT1 and VT2; 3 × 5 mins sparring bout equipped with a Catapult Optimeye S5 accelerometer recording Playerload (PLdACC) and Playerload per minute (PLdACC∙min−1), with a sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) recorded as internal intensity. Median V̇O2max (53.3 ml∙kg∙min−1) was used to split the cohort into the top 50% and bottom 50%. Pearson's r correlations (BF10 ≥ 3) were calculated between GXT and sparring variables. V̇O2max (53.1 ± 5.9 ml∙kg∙min−1) was found to have very large (r ≥ .70) linear relationships with PLdACC (161.4 ± 27.2 AU) and PLdACC∙min−1 (10.7 ± 1.8AU). The top 50% group maintained moderate sRPE (4-6AU) and greater PLdACC∙min−1 throughout the bout, with the bottom 50% group's sRPE moving from moderate to high (>7AU) indicating V̇O2max <53 ml∙kg∙min−1 is related to increased internal intensity. These data support the aerobic nature of MMA and may provide aerobic capacity targets for athletes and coaches to aim for during competition preparation.

Citation

KIRK, C., CLARK, D. and LANGAN-EVANS, C. 2024. The influence of aerobic capacity on the loads and intensities of mixed martial arts sparring bouts. Journal of sports sciences [online], 42(22), pages 2093-2102. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2419239

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 14, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 17, 2024
• Publication Date: Nov 17, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 18, 2025
• Journal: Journal of sports sciences
• Print ISSN: 0264-0414
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-447X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 22
• Pages: 2093-2102
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2419239
• Keywords: Playerload; Combat sports; V̇O2max; Ventilatory thresholds; Training load; Training intensity
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2584905
• Other Repo URL: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/24822/