Medicina Universitaria (Apr 2023)

Body composition and handgrip strength in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes: a systematic review

  • Jose J. Castañeda-Camarena,
  • Tomas J. Martínez-Cervantes,
  • Miguel E. Navarrete-Juárez,
  • Jorge A. Cantú-Hernández,
  • Oscar Salas-Fraire,
  • Antonino Aguiar-Barrera,
  • José A. Garza-Cantú,
  • Karina Salas-Longoria,
  • José A. Olivarez-Castañeda,
  • Luis F. Sandoval-Arellano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.24875/RMU.22000089
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 2

Abstract

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Objectives: This study aimed to review the evidence available regarding body composition and maximal isometric handgrip strength values and establish average values and relationships between these variables in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Methods: MEDLINE through PubMed; base plate; Web of Science; Scopus; Pedro; CDSR; CCRCT; LILACS; Educational Resources; EBSCO; and ADOLEC databases were explored to identify articles that met selection criteria. Observational or comparative studies evaluating the body composition and maximal isometric handgrip strength of BJJ athletes through dynamometry. Results: Only ten papers (n = 394 athletes) met selection criteria. The methodological quality of the studies assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was rated fair to good, and the methodological quality of the studies assessed with the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies was rated low to moderate. The population studied was predominantly male (n = 364), with two studies including females (n = 30). Two reported maximal isometric handgrip strength, four reported right- or left-hand grip strength, and five reported handgrip strength differentiating between dominant and non-dominant hands. All selected studies reported weight, height, and body fat percentages, six reported body mass index, three reported fat-free mass or muscle mass percentages, and two reported lean body mass or somatotype. Conclusions: We could not establish average values or relationships between the variables studied due to lack of concordance in the reporting of these variables in the studies reviewed. It is necessary to standardize the variables reported in studies regarding this sport to establish comparisons between scientific evidence.

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