Cognitive functions and skill level in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: an exploratory study using virtual reality

Introduction Competitive outcomes in combat sports depend not only on functional preparation but also on athletes’ ability to quickly adapt under pressure and make effective decisions in rapidly changing situations. The use of virtual reality (VR) as a tool for assessing cognitive functions has not yet been thoroughly validated in this context. The VR tasks used in this study do not measure higher-order cognitive functions such as executive function or anticipation; instead, they focus on observable performance metrics, such as reaction time, accuracy, and motor variability. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of cognitive functions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes with varying levels of expertise. Methods Ten male BJJ practitioners (average age was 27.20 ± 5.63 years) were categorized into professionals (average training experience 11.00 ± 1.41 years; brown/black belts) and semi-professionals (average training experience 5.40 ± 1.14 years, blue/purple belts). VR based cognitive tests assessed reaction time, accuracy, and spatial awareness. The Mann–Whitney U test was applied to compare group performance. Results The professional group showed higher decision-making accuracy and slower reaction times; however, these patterns should be interpreted cautiously, as the study design does not allow attribution to underlying strategies or processes. The semi-professionals, on the other hand, exhibited greater variability in motor responses. Some of the differences between groups reached statistical significance ( p < 0.05), although these should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size. The relationship between experience level and cognitive measures was inconsistent across parameters and should be considered preliminary, as the study was not powered to detect systematic associations. Conclusions Professionals appeared to score higher in accuracy-related measures and showed slower reaction times; however, these patterns should be interpreted as preliminary trends rather than evidence of differences in underlying mechanisms or strategic prioritization. Given the very small sample size and the exploratory nature of the study, no conclusions can be drawn about underlying cognitive mechanisms. The findings suggest preliminary, unstable patterns between expertise levels in selected cognitive measures; however, given the small sample size and exploratory design, no causal inferences regarding the influence of experience on cognitive functions can be drawn. The study also suggests that VR may have potential as an assessment tool, though its utility for evaluating BJJ-specific cognitive performance remains unvalidated and should be considered exploratory at this stage.