A Comparison of the Physiological Profiles of Mixed Martial Artists and Football, Basketball, and Baseball Players

A COMPARISON OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILES OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTISTS AND FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL PLAYERS. Gochioco MK, Brown LE, Coburn JW, Beam WC, Schick EE, Dabbs NC, Khamoui AV, Tran TT, Munoz CX. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological characteristics of amateur mixed martial artists (MMA) with baseball, basketball, and football athletes. METHODS: Eleven male MMA fighters (age 25.55 5.79y, height 174.86 5.37cm, body mass 77.49 11.49kg) were measured for body composition, vertical jump, trunk flexibility, grip strength, maximal oxygen consumption (V̇o2 max), and relative one repetition-maximum (1RM) bench press and squat. Data was compared and contrasted to athletes from previous literature. Descriptive statistics were evaluated for MMA fighters only. RESULTS: MMA fighters had less body fat (11.75 4.07%) than baseball players (14.20 5.30%) and football players (15.60 6.50%), but greater than basketball players (9.40 15.20%). They had the greatest trunk flexibility (30.30 10.65cm) compared to basketball players (16.20 2.70cm) and football players (11.40 3.80cm). MMA fighters had less vertical jump height (57.61 7.30cm) compared to basketball players (71.40 10.40cm). They had a greater relative bench press (1.27 0.15kg/kg) compared to basketball players (1.12 1.70kg/kg), but less than football players (1.55 5.63kg/kg). MMA fighters had the lowest relative squat (1.48 0.19kg/kg) compared to basketball players (1.67 3.29kg/kg) and football players (2.18 8.54kg/kg). MMA fighters had the greatest V̇o2 max values (55.55 7.35 ml/kg/min) compared to baseball (52.60 5.90 ml/kg/min) and basketball players (53.00 4.70 ml/kg/min). They had less grip strength (45.82 6.27kg) than baseball (57.00 5.70kg). CONCLUSION: MMA fighters had the most trunk flexibility because of the dynamic nature of the sport and the various positions the athlete may encounter during a fight. They also possessed the greatest V̇o2max because of the considerable aerobic component of MMA, compared to the anaerobic-dominant sports of football, baseball, and basketball. MMA fighters had less grip strength compared to baseball players. However, grip strength is important in the grappling component of MMA because the opponent can be more easily controlled. MMA fighters had less vertical jump height compared to basketball players since jumping is more prevalent in basketball. However, substantial lower body power is essential to execute attacks in MMA. They had the lowest relative squat compared to football and basketball because there is more emphasis on lower body strength in the latter sports. MMA fighters have less relative bench press than football players due to the heavy reliance of strength and power in football. They have a greater relative bench press than basketball players because pushing mechanisms are more common in MMA. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: MMA fighters may benefit from adding grip strengthening exercises to their strength training routine, along with incorporating plyometrics and high velocity exercises to develop total body power and speed.