Training Frequency, Weight, and Mental Well-being During COVID-19 Lockdown in Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighters

Author(s)

Arman Ali, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Corey Peacock, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Jaime L. Tartar, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2021

Publication Title

Research Directs in Health Sciences

Volume

1

Issue/Number

1

ISSN

2768-492X

Abstract/Excerpt

Introduction: Mixed Martial Arts is a combat sport which includes weight management and periodized training schedules. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we intend to analyze training frequency, weight, and mood as a result of the lockdown. We hypothesize that overall training frequency will decrease as a result.

Methods: Seventeen professional MMA fighters completed survey, self-reporting behaviors associated with mixed martial arts training, nutrition, and mental-wellness as a result of COVID-19 lockdown. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to analyze results.

Results: Analysis determined that COVID-19 lockdown elicited a statistically significant (p≤0.05) decrease in self-reported MMA training frequency, grappling, fight ‘readiness’, happiness, and mood.

Conclusions: These results may warrant the need for potential physical and mental support following COVID-19 lockdown in professional MMA fighters. Although the fighters were able to maintain weight and meal frequency, they were unable to train adequately to maintain fight ‘readiness.’

NSUWorks Citation

Ali, A., Peacock, C., Tartar, J. L. (2021). Training Frequency, Weight, and Mental Well-being During COVID-19 Lockdown in Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighters. Research Directs in Health Sciences, 1(1).
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/2003