International Journal of Sports Science 2013, 3(6): 189-192 DOI: 10.5923/j.sports.20130306.01 Power Measures of Athletes in Combat Sports Using a Modified Rowing Ergometer Carlos Zerpa * , Kathryn Johnstone, Paolo Sanzo, Eryk Przysucha School of Kinesiology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, P7B 5E1, Canada Abstract Combat sports such as wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) require athletes to produce high levels of muscle power to increase athletes’ chances of winning during sport competitions. Recently, combat sport athletes in wrestling and MMA began using rowing as a training method because this exercise engages upper and lower extremity muscles of the body and focuses on explosive muscle power. The problem with using rowing as a training technique for athletes in combat sports is that current bases of support designed for rowing ergometers limit the position of the athletes’ feet to only a close stance (athletes’ feet positioned apart at a distance less than shoulder width). Combat sports in wrestling and MMA, however, require the use of wide (feet positioned apart at a distance slightly wider than shoulder width) or staggered (feet positioned apart at a distance slightly wider than shoulder width and one foot farther forward than the other) stances. Due to this concern, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different bases of support (close, wide, and staggered) on athletes’ power output when using a Concept2 Rowing Ergometer. Fifteen male combat sport athletes (wrestlers and mixed martial arts athletes) were selected for this study. The athletes completed three exercise sessions in which they were required to row for five minutes in each session with a different base of support (close, wide, and staggered). The power output was measured in watts and the data were analyzed by using a repeated measures ANOVA. The results revealed a significant difference between the close and wide stance. The outcome of this study may have implication for coaches and researchers because it provides an avenue to improve the effectiveness of power training in combat sports when using a Concept2 Rowing Ergometer. Keywords Rowing, Power Measures, Combat Sports 1. Introduction Wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) are combat sports that require an intensive body workout during competitions. These combat sports rely on aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways, strength, flexibility, speed, and explosive power[1, 2, 5]. Wrestling combat sport competitions last approximately six minutes, consisting of three two-minute rounds[7]. MMA competitions last approximately fifteen to twenty-five minutes, consisting of either three five-minute or five five-minute rounds[17]. These competitions are physically demanding and rely on the athlete maintaining a high level of muscle power output to have an advantage and a better chance at winning[5, 4, 6, 9]. In order to maintain a high level of muscle power output during sport competitions, a combat sport athlete must have a strong fighting stance; without one, the athlete’s chance of winning is limited[3, 16] A strong fighting stance is the * Corresponding author: czerpa@l akeheadu.ca (Carlos Zerpa) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/sports Copyright © 2013 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved position in which the athlete is balanced, has equal weight distribution, can utilize his/her strength, and is relaxed and focused. Furthermore, a strong fighting stance allows the athlete to have quick and powerful mobility in every direction[3]. There are two main stances used for wrestling and MMA combat sport competitions: the wide stance and the staggered stance. Both stances require the athlete’s feet to be positioned apart at a distance slightly wider than shoulder width, the knees to be flexed and the back to be straight. In addition, both stances require the combat sport athlete to lower his or her centre of gravity to allow for greater balance[3, 15]. Specifically, a wide or staggered stance maximizes a combat athlete’s balance and gives the athlete greater ability and mobility to defend against, shoot in or throw an opponent[15, 16]. One technique used to train combat athletes for wresting and MMA is by using rowing ergometers because the use of this technique requires a full body workout. In addition, it involves the coordination of the upper and lower extremity muscles to maintain high levels of muscle power in order for the athlete to perform well[8, 12, 14]. One concern when using rowing ergometers for training athletes in combat sports, however, is that the bases of