A brief descriptive outline of the rules of mixed martial arts and concussion in mixed martial arts

Abstract

Mixed martial arts (MMA), a combat sport consisting of wrestling, box-ing, and martial arts, is a popular activity associated with danger and vi-olence. Of concern are the repetitive head impacts, both subconcussive and concussive, sustained by MMA athletes. The rules of MMA en-courage head strikes, but there was no formal concussion protocol in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) until 2021. Because the UFC was established less than 30 years, the long-term consequences of these repetitive concussive head blows are lacking. In this review, we focus on current literature sought to summarize the current knowledge of repetitive head impacts and concussions in MMA. The objectives were to outline (a) the rules of MMA; (b) the postconcussion protocol for UFC athletes; (c) current behavioral and biochemical diagnostic measures; (d) epidemiology and prevalence of concussion in MMA; (e) long-term effects of subconcussive repetitive head impacts; (f) biome-chanics of head impacts; and (g) considerations and research topics that warrant future research.

The Comparison of the Level of Aggressiveness of Oyama Karate and Mixed Martial Art Fighters

“…Furthermore, this was confirmed by recent studies on the dimensions of aggression among athletes practicing martial arts and combat sports [41]. The range of MMA rules also includes many brutal techniques, i.e., front kicks to the thigh, heel kicks to the feet, elbow strikes, and multiple knee kicks while holding the head [32].…”

“…What seems to be important is the structure of the entire fight, which consists of stand-up and ground fighting, in which the athlete can perform elbow strikes, hammer punches, and kicks on a lying opponent [32]. This is particularly significant in the context of reports by Kalu żny and Kalina [33], who proved that the most common response of an aggressively attacked man is an even greater level of aggression toward the attacker.…”

Neuroimaging, wearable sensors, and blood-based biomarkers reveal hyperacute changes in the brain after sub-concussive impacts

“…Brain-specific biomarkers for use as diagnostic tools in brain injury have become more prevalent in recent years. Research on NfL chain peptides as potential biomarkers for axonal injury has been observed in certain contact sports studies since it is the most abundant neurofilament, with increased levels 24–48 h following concussion [ 97 , 98 ]. None of our athletes experienced a concussion which may explain why we do not see differences in any of the tested biomarker protein concentrations following all contact sessions.…”

Relações da hidratação no período pré e pós competições em atletas de artes marciais: revisão narrativa da literatura

“…O principal evento do MMA atualmente é o Ultimate fighting championship (UFC), neste evento os lutadores são separados em categorias de acordo com o peso, que deve ser batido no dia anterior a luta (dia da pesagem oficial), entre as categorias temos: Peso-palha (Feminino, até 52,1 Kg), peso-mosca (Masculino e feminino, até 56,7Kg), peso-galo (Masculino e feminino, até 61,2Kg), peso-pena (Masculino e feminino, até 65,7Kg), peso-leve (Masculino, até 70,3Kg), peso meio-médio (Masculino até 77,1Kg), peso-médio (Masculino até 83,9Kg), peso meio-pesado (Masculio, até 92,9Kg) e peso pesado (até 120,2 Kg). No UFC não há restrição para perda de peso nos atletas (Hamdan et al, 2022).…”