Medicina Sportiva Med Sport 14 (4): 182-187, 2010 DOI: 10.2478/v10036-010-0029-y Copyright © 2010 Medicina Sportiva ORIGINAL RESEARCH 182 PHYSIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTISTS Monica G. Schick (A-F) , Lee E. Brown (A-F) , Jared W. Coburn (A-F) , William C. Beam (A-F) , Evan E. Schick (B,D) , Nicole C. Dabbs (B,D) Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA Abstract Background and aim: Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport composed of traditional combat sports. The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological characteristics of amateur MMA fighters with other combat sports. Material and methods: Eleven male MMA fighters (age 25.5 ± 5.7y, height 174.8 ± 5.3cm, body mass 77.4 ± 11.4kg) were measured for body composition, vertical jump, flexibility, grip strength, maximal oxygen consumption (¦O 2 max), and relative one repetition-maximum bench press and squat. Results indicated that MMA fighters had similar body fat percentage (11.7 ± 4.0%) to judokas (11.4 ± 8.4%), but greater than wrestlers (7.6 ± 3.4%) and kung fu (9.5 ± 6.3%). Their ¦O 2 max (55.5 ± 7.3 ml/kg/min) was comparable to wrestlers (54.6 ± 2.0 ml/kg/min), but greater than judokas (48.3 ± 8.1 ml/kg/min) and less than kickboxers (62.7 ± 3.6 ml/kg/min). MMA fighters were less flexible (30.3 ± 10.6 cm) than kung fu athletes (45.5 ± 6.1 cm) but were as flexible as wrestlers (30.8 ± 5.8 cm). MMA fighters (57.6 ± 7.3 cm) had less vertical jump than wrestlers (60.0 ± 10.0 cm), both of whom were greater than kung fu (45.5 ± 6.1 cm). MMA fighters had similar relative bench press (1.2 ± 0.1 kg/kg) and relative squat (1.4 ± 0.1 kg/kg) compared to judokas (bench press 1.2 ± 0.1 kg/kg and squat 1.4 ± 0.1 kg/kg). Boxers had greater right grip strength (58.2 ± 6.9 kg) than MMA fighters (45.8 ± 6.2 kg). Conclusion: In conclusion, amateur MMA fighters have a physiological profile similar to judokas and wrestlers. Key words: characteristics, fighters, amateur, combat Introduction In 1993 the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) introduced Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to a mainstream audience. Since its primitive beginnings, MMA has been steadily gaining popularity and is now an internationally recognized sport. Recent UFC broadcasts have drawn in an average of 1.5 million viewers while generating more revenue than any other pay-per-view event. There were over 900 MMA training centers in North America in 2006 [1]. High television ratings and the increasing volume of training academies exemplify the growth of MMA’s popularity. This study is the first that provides detail into the physiological characteristics of an amateur participant, and how he compares to his more special- ized counterparts. Early MMA fighters specialized in their art and did not train in other combat sports. Today, MMA fighters train in a multitude of combat sports, usually specializ- ing in the art that is most suited for their body type [2]. Although some sports are similar in nature, athletes’ physical properties can be significantly different. Iwai et al. [3] investigated the sport specific characteristics of trunk muscles in collegiate wrestlers and judokas and found that absolute and relative trunk extensor and flexor peak torque, work, and average torque were greater in wrestlers than judokas. Even for similar ac- tivities, sport specific training methods are necessary to develop proper proficiency in the sport [4]. Along with the necessary physical attributes of strength, power, and endurance, technical proficiency is a vital aspect of being a successful MMA fighter. Ath- letes with less experience, and therefore less technical skills, have a greater risk of injury [5]. In addition to having more technical knowledge, elite athletes have less body fat than their amateur counterparts [6, 7]. Greater body fat percentage is negatively correlated with performance in activities involving body mass lo- comotion [8-10]. Franchini et al. [8] conducted a study to determine the physical fitness and anthropometric profile of the Brazilian male judo team. Results of the study determined that the physical variables measured did not discriminate performance when analysis was directed to the best athletes [8], therefore emphasizing the importance of technical proficiency. Profiling can be a valuable means of identifying talent, strengths, and weaknesses, and helping in the design of optimal strength and conditioning programs [11]. Physiological testing can assess the overall fitness level of the athletes and set guidelines for individual- ized MMA training programs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe the physical characteris- tics of amateur mixed martial artists with comparison to other combat sports. Materials and methods Experimental Approach to the Problem To investigate the physiological profile of mixed martial artists, we utilized a battery of fitness tests com-