Comparison of the Physical Fitness Profile of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes with Reference to Training Experience

Wojciech Wąsacz, Łukasz Rydzik, Ibrahim Ouergui, Agnieszka Koteja, Dorota Ambroży, Tadeusz Ambroży, Pavel Ruzbarsky and Marian Rzepko
Additional contact information
Wojciech Wąsacz: Independent Researcher, 33-100 Tarnów, Poland
Łukasz Rydzik: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Cracow, Poland
Ibrahim Ouergui: High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba 8189, Tunisia
Agnieszka Koteja: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Cracow, Poland
Dorota Ambroży: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Cracow, Poland
Tadeusz Ambroży: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Cracow, Poland
Pavel Ruzbarsky: Department of Sports Kinanthropology, Faculty of Sports, Universtiy of Presov, 080-01 Prešov, Slovakia
Marian Rzepko: College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Background: In combat sports, successful competition and training require comprehensive motor fitness. The aim of this study was to diagnose the level of physical fitness and to determine the level of differences between athletes of combat sports characterized by stand-up fighting, such as Muay Thai; and ground fighting, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Methods: The study examined and compared 30 participants divided into two equal groups: Muay Thai athletes ( n = 15; age: 24.24 ± 3.24; body height: 174.91 ± 5.19; body weight: 77.56 ± 7.3), and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) ( n = 15; age: 22.82 ± 1.81; body height: 175.72 ± 7.03; body weight: 77.11 ± 8.12). Basic characteristics of the somatic build were measured. Selected manifestations of the motor potential of motor skills were also evaluated using selected tests from the EUROFIT test battery, the International Test of Physical Fitness, and computer tests of coordination skills. Relative strength and maximal anaerobic work (MAW) indices were calculated. The strength of the relationship between the effect of motor fitness and training experience was also assessed. Results: The athletes of both groups (Muay Thai and BJJ) presented similar levels of basic characteristics of the somatic build. Motor fitness in the tested groups showed significant differences between the athletes of these sports in static strength ( p = 0.010), relative strength ( p = 0.006), arm muscle strength in pull-ups ( p = 0.035), and functional strength in bent arm hanging ( p = 0.023). Higher levels of these components of motor fitness were found for the athletes in the BJJ athletes. In the Muay Thai group, significant very high strength of association was found between training experience and five strength tests. Furthermore, a significantly high strength of association was found in two tests. In the BJJ group, significant relationships with very high correlation were found between the variables in five strength tests. Conclusions: Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes performed better in strength tests (static strength, relative strength, shoulder girdle strength, functional strength). High correlations between the training load and the level of physical fitness were found in flexibility and strength tests in BJJ athletes and most strength tests in Muay Thai athletes.

Keywords: combat sports; motor fitness; training experience; Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Muay Thai (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/14/8451/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/14/8451/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8451-:d:859962

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().