2020, Volume 3 (Issue 1): s3 OPEN ACCESS
Physiological profile of French Mixed Martial
Art athletes
Research Brief
Xavier Barbier1
1
Université d’Evry-Val d’Essonne, Evry, France
Abstract
With average fight duration exceeding 10 minutes and the high intensity intermittent
nature of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a high physiological demand is placed on
aerobic energy system in order to maintain and repeat high intensity efforts. With
MMA legalization coming in France in 2020, we thought that it would be interesting
to provide practitioners with the first data on physiological profile of French MMA
athletes. The present study evaluated the physiological characteristics in 4
professionals and four amateur males MMA fighters. Aerobic and anaerobic capacity
were estimated through measurement of VO2max and anaerobic threshold on a
treadmill. In comparison to the available literature on MMA, the subjects presented
in average lower VO2max, similar VO2 and percentage of VO2max at anaerobic
threshold. In comparison with available UFC data, the subjects presented lower
values. In comparison to the available literature on other French combat sport
athletes, the subjects presented in average lower VO2max.
Key Words: Physiological Characters, Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Capacity
Published: February 10, 2020
Corresponding author: Xavier Barbier, [email protected]
Introduction
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a unique and complex combat sport which uses a wide range of kicking,
punching, and grappling techniques found in more traditional martial arts such as kickboxing, wrestling,
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and karate.
Since his introduction in 1993, the sport of MMA has evolved and offers now a large number of
professional organizations worldwide. National and internationals federation across the globe organizing
amateur competitions. Despite the fact that MMA is becoming an increasingly popular combat sport, the
quantity of studies investigating this athletes profiles remains thin in regards of more traditional and
ancient combat sports1,2,15,16,17,18,19,20.
The duration of the fight is over 10 minutes on average 2, composed of high intensity epochs of activity
for approximately 6-14 secs interspersed with period of lower intensity activity, with a 1:4 ratio of high:low
intensity work3. Given the average fight duration and the high intensity intermittent nature of the sport,
the energy supply of MMA has been suggested to be similar with repeated sprints12.
Those short duration of high intensity actions, indeed, highly stresses the lactate energy system. However,
if the lactate energy system is stressed too early and/or too much, it may lead the athletes to “gas out”.
Potentially caused by an accumulation of metabolites14 and subsequent acidosis13.
Therefor a high physiological demand is placed on aerobic energy system 4,5 in order to sustain an intensive
competition, even though anaerobic capacity is very important.
With legalization coming in France, finally, in 2020, we thought that it would be interesting to provide
practitioners with the first data on physiological profile of French MMA athletes.
Journal of Exercise and Nutrition ISSN 2640-2572
2020, Volume 3 (Issue 1): s3 OPEN ACCESS
The measurements of breathing parameters during an exhaustive incremental test enables the assessment
of two ventilatory thresholds: VT1 and VT27,8,9. The first ventilatory threshold (VT1) is called “aerobic
threshold”10. The second ventilatory threshold (VT2) is called: “anaerobic threshold” 8,9.
In the present study, a group of 8 active male MMA athletes were tested. The tests included both aerobic
and anaerobic systems. As well to VO2max, the values of VO2 at anaerobic threshold and percentage of
VO2max are important parameters to take in consideration in evaluating aerobic capacity. High VO2max
level with low threshold indicates recruitment of the lactate energy system too early and too much. In
contrast, high VO2max level and high threshold will delay the need of the anaerobic system, thus, prolonged
highly intensity fight.
We intended firstly to provide a physiological profile of French MMA athletes. Secondly, to compare the
test results obtained with the available literature on MMA and other French combat sports.
Methods
Participants
8 subjects 4 professionals and 4 amateurs male MMA fighters (Age = 25,4 ± 6,7 years / Experience = 8
± 10,8 fights / weight = 70,7 ± 5,9 kg).
None of the participants had a family history of cardiovascular disease or was using any medication.
Protocol
Physiological evaluation on the 8 subjects was performed at the start of their respective fight camps. All
tests were conducted in MMA Stratégie at Lisses Sport Académie, Lisses, France.
To measure VO2max, VO2 and heart rate at threshold level, the subjects were asked to run on treadmill.
After a short standardized warm up, the subjects started running on a treadmill (Technogym,
Run Excite 500, Italy) with a start speed of 5 km/h. The speed was increased by 1 km/h for every two
min till exhausted. Personal absolute and relative VO2max and maximal heart rate were recorded during
the running. Levels of VO2 and heart rate were measured at threshold level using, ventilation switch point
for CO2 (VO2 at AnT, Wasserman)11.
Ventilation was measured using mixed chamber analyzer (Cosmed Quark, Italy). Heart rate was measured
using a heart rate monitor (Garmin).
Statistical Analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using R Studio Cloud (R studio, Boston, USA). Data is presented
as mean ± SD.
Results
Group values of maximum heart rate (HRmax) VO2max , and VO2 and heart rate at anaerobic threshold
level, respective percentage of VO2max and HRmax at anaerobic threshold level measured with treadmill
are shown in Figure 1.
Table 1. Threshold values using treadmill.
M ± SD
(N = 10)
MAX HEART RATE (BPM) 196 ± 5,9
RELATIVE VO2MAX (ML/MIN/KG) 50,6 ± 7,3
FC@ANT (BPM) 164,6 ± 12,1
VO2MAX@ANT (ML/MIN/KG) 40,3 ± 4,7
%FC@ANT (%FCMAX) 84,1 ± 4,8
%VO2MAX@ANT (%VO2MAX) 80 ± 7,7
Data are Means ± SD
Subjects obtained a maximum heart rate of 196 ± 5,9 bpm, a relative VO2max of 50,6 ± 7,3 ml/min/kg
, a HR at anaerobic threshold of 164,6 ± 12,1 bpm, a VO2max at anaerobic threshold of 40,3 ± 4,7
ml/min/kg, a percentage of maximum HR of 84,1 ± 4,8 bpm at anaerobic threshold, and a percentage of
VO2max of 80 ± 7,7.
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Journal of Exercise and Nutrition
2020, Volume 3 (Issue 1): s3 OPEN ACCESS
Discussion
The present study revealed the physiological characters of French MMA athletes.
In the study, the relative VO2max for the 8 subjects was around 50,6 ml/min/kg. Currently, there 6 studies
on MMA to compare our results on treadmill1. 5 of them display higher VO2max values (52-62 ml/min/kg)
and 1 lower values (44 ml/min/kg). In addition, UFC male fighters exhibit higher VO2max average values
(58-66 ml/min/kg)2.
This results are higher than French judo athletes21,22. But lower than French junior wrestler 24 , French
elite-amateur boxers25 and French karate athletes23.
In our results, the VO2 at anaerobic threshold for the 8 subjects was around 40.3 ml/min/kg.
Approximatively similar values from Oliveira SN15 (37ml/min/kg). But mainly lower than UFC male
fighters’ values (36-51 ml/min/kg) and values from Tutal & col20. Finally, the percentage of VO2max at
anaerobic threshold for the 8 subjects was around 80%. More or less close values as in previous
studies15,16,20. Slightly lower than UFC male recommendations (>86% VO2max)2.
Conclusions
In summary, the subjects in the study presented above average aerobic capacity levels compared with
MMA elite pro athletes, other MMA competition level, and other French combat sports athletes. The
subjects presented above average threshold levels compared with MMA elite pro athletes but similar
compared with other MMA competition level. Reader should be reminded that France do not recognize
MMA as other traditional and Olympic combat sports. Therefore MMA athletes usually don’t have access
to a lot of training resources including a full training staff and a standardized on/off season as other
sports. This probably exerts high impact on the test results.
Fighters should consider as a necessity to incorporate more effective aerobic conditioning programs into
the training routine. The author recognized the very diverse level of competition and the low numbers
and of subjects as a limitation of the study design.
Media-Friendly Summary
First information on physiological profile of French MMA athletes.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thanks coaches Johnny Frachey, Peter Ligier and Ludovic Dandine for their support.
Additionally we would thanks Nicolas Jeansoulé for providing testing equipement et procedure teaching.
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