Performance Alteration Induced by Weight Cutting in Mixed Martial Arts—A Biomechanical Pilot Investigation

Yufeng Liu, Jared Evans, Jacek Wąsik, Xiang Zhang and Gongbing Shan
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Yufeng Liu: Department of Physical Education, Xinzhou Teachers’ University, Xinzhou 034000, China
Jared Evans: Biomechanics Lab, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
Jacek Wąsik: Department Kinesiology and Health Prevention, Jan Długosz University in Czestochowa, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
Xiang Zhang: Department of Physical Education, Xinzhou Teachers’ University, Xinzhou 034000, China
Gongbing Shan: Department of Physical Education, Xinzhou Teachers’ University, Xinzhou 034000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Currently, there are pros and cons of research results related to weight cutting in combat sports, resulting in inconclusive results regarding the effects of weight-cut on athletes’ performance, and biomechanical investigations are hardly seen. Therefore, this pilot study tried to fill the gap by initiating an exploration in real-life competitions. It is our hope to add biomechanical insights (advantages/disadvantages) that would discern the impact of weight cutting on competitive performance and help to structure hypotheses in future research. The method consisted of 3D motion capture, EMG measurement and biomechanical modeling. Through the synchronized data, striking power, striking accuracy and reaction time were quantitatively determined. Pre- and post-test design was used to test common strikes before weight cutting and 24 h after weigh-in. Seven male athletes from local clubs were tested during regional competitions. Results were characterized by using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and T-tests were performed to contrast differences between the pre- and post-tests. This pilot study has revealed that there is actually weight-regain instead of weight-loss. The weight-regain would speed up the perceptional and total reaction, slow down the limbs’ movement, worsen the striking accuracy and, possibly, decrease the strike power. The preliminary results are inconclusive regarding the competitive advantages/disadvantages induced by weight cutting. Further biomechanical studies are needed to deal with the controversial subject more objectively and scientifically.

Keywords: striking power; striking accuracy; reaction time; 3D motion capture; EMG measurement; biomechanical modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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