Heart Rate, Oxygen Uptake and Anaerobic Thresholds During a Maximal Treadmill Test with World Class Mixed Martial Arts Fighters

Measuring heart rate responses during a competitive mixed martial arts (MMA) fight is not feasible; therefore, a method is needed to assess physiological responses in MMA fighters outside of competition. Quantifying and evaluating heart rate, oxygen uptake, and anaerobic threshold during a maximal treadmill test can provide interpretation for in-competition physiological responses of MMA fighters The retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 world-class MMA fighters predating the beginning of their fight camps (ages 29.0 ± 4.8 years old). A maximal treadmill test utilizing a ramp protocol was conducted eight weeks prior to a professional competition. Fighters’ data were divided in two groups based on weight status: lighter, < 185 pounds (n = 12) and heavier, ≥ 185 pounds (n = 8) weight groups. Heart rate (HR), anaerobic thresholds from respiratory exchange rate (RER-AT), and oxygen uptake (VO2max) were recorded and compared between weight groups. VO2max was the only physiological variable measured that differed between lighter (53.4 ± 4.5 ml . kg−1 . min−1) and heavier (48.1 ± 5.7 ml . kg−1 . min−1) fighters (p = 0.033). Previous literature has commonly used 1.0 RER to determine the breaking point in anaerobic thresholds. All other variables were not different (p ≥ 0.204) between groups. Differences in VO2max between lighter and heavier fighters is likely due to differences in body mass. While there were no differences in heart rates at RER-AT or time to exhaustion between weight status groups, using RER-AT at 0.95 or 1.0 RER may be a valuable way to ensure an MMA athlete achieve anaerobic training in fight preparation. Performance coaches may utilize physiological variables such as RER-AT acquired from maximal treadmill testing to guide the training demands of MMA competition.