Exploratory Systematic Review of Mixed Martial Arts: An Overview of Performance of Importance Factors with over 20,000 Athletes
João C. A. Bueno,
Heloiana Faro,
Seth Lenetsky,
Aleksandro F. Gonçalves,
Stefane B. C. D. Dias,
André L. B. Ribeiro,
Bruno V. C. da Silva,
Carlos A. Cardoso Filho,
Bruna M. de Vasconcelos,
Júlio C. Serrão,
Alexandro Andrade,
Tácito P. Souza-Junior,
João G. Claudino
Affiliations
João C. A. Bueno
Research Group on Metabolism, Nutrition and Strength Training, Department of Physical Education, Jardim Botânico Campus, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80210-132, PR, Brazil
Heloiana Faro
Associate Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa 58059-900, PB, Brazil
Seth Lenetsky
Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, School of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Aleksandro F. Gonçalves
Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Performance in Sports & Combats, School of Physical Education and Sport, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-599, RDJ, Brazil
Stefane B. C. D. Dias
Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory, Keiser University Orlando, Sports Medicine & Fitness Tech/Exercise Science, 5600 Lake Underhill Road Orlando, Florida, FL 32807, USA
André L. B. Ribeiro
Department of Physiology and Product Development Limber Software, Balsam 15140-000, SP, Brazil
Bruno V. C. da Silva
Department of Physical Education, University of Itaúna, Highway MG 431-Km 45, Itaúna 35680-142, MG, Brazil
Carlos A. Cardoso Filho
Laboratory of Biomechanics, School of Physical Education and Sport, Campus São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-030, SAO, Brazil
Bruna M. de Vasconcelos
Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, Victoria, BC V9E 2C5, Canada
Júlio C. Serrão
Laboratory of Biomechanics, School of Physical Education and Sport, Campus São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-030, SAO, Brazil
Alexandro Andrade
Sciences Center of Health and Sport, Laboratory of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Physical Education Department, State University of Santa, Catarina 88080-350, FLN, Brazil
Tácito P. Souza-Junior
Research Group on Metabolism, Nutrition and Strength Training, Department of Physical Education, Jardim Botânico Campus, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80210-132, PR, Brazil
João G. Claudino
Laboratory of Biomechanics, School of Physical Education and Sport, Campus São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-030, SAO, Brazil
This review aimed to analyze the findings in the literature related to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) through an exploratory systematic review and to present the state of the art from a multifactorial perspective. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement, with a search performed in the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Participants were competitive athletes (amateurs or professionals) of regional, national, or international levels. Of the 2763 registries identified, 112 studies met the eligibility criteria. The pooled sample size and age were 20,784 participants, with a mean age of 27.7 ± 6 years for male and 28.9 ± 3 years for female, with the vast majority of athletes being male (94.9%). MMA athletes were 17.2% amateurs, 73.8% professionals, and 9% were not reported. The scientific literature related to MMA reported injuries (n = 28), weight loss (n = 21), technical and tactical analysis (n = 23), physical fitness (n = 8), physiological responses and training characteristics (n = 13), psychobiological parameters (n = 12), and interventions applied to MMA athletes (n = 7). Therefore, this exploratory systematic review presents practitioners and researchers with seven broad summaries of each facet of performance of importance in this population of athletes.
