MMA, or mixed martial arts, is a competitive, full-contact sport comprised of different martial arts traditions as well as nonmartial arts techniques. Techniques used may include wrestling, judo, sambo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, karate, jiujitsu, and freestyle. Two athletes fight it out in a ring and use grappling and striking moves. Combat may occur while standing or while on the ground. MMA came to North America in 1993 with the Gracie family, who formed the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but Japan held MMA events as early as 1989. A fighter wins either by submission; stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor, or the cornerman; or by points accrued at the end of a match.
Self-Defense
MMA training not only provides fitness benefits but also gives the participant self-awareness, strength and training to defend oneself in an attack. Anger management and self-confidence are two major benefits of mixed martial arts training. A student of MMA learns many different moves with which to defend him- or herself if attacked, and provides the self-confidence to carry out the moves.
Aerobic Benefits
Although official mixed martial arts matches aren't continuous aerobic exercise--each round is five minutes long each--the sustained activity can be classified as both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. The kicks, punches and throws definitely fall into the aerobic activity range. An MMA athlete must be in peak physical fitness and will benefit from other aerobic exercises like cycling, swimming and running during training.
Anaerobic Benefits
The grappling side of MMA is anaerobic activity. Grappling is short-lasting and doesn't provide a lot of oxygen to the muscles. The muscles use oxygen faster than the body takes it in, hence the term "anaerobic." Anaerobic activity helps an athlete develop stronger muscles, increase endurance, and improves the maximum oxygen uptake, also called VO2 max.
Caution
Never undertake a new fitness program, MMA or otherwise, without first consulting a doctor if you have health concerns. Find a qualified instructor and take lessons to learn proper technique and avoid injury. Never train while injured. Start out slowly and add in cardio and anaerobic training as well as weight training for an all-around regimen.
References
- "Combat Sports Medicine"; Gregory H. Bledsoe, 2009.
- "Journal of Sports Science and Medicine"; Combat Sports Special Issue; Bledsoe, Brill, Li; 2006
- American Sports Medicine Institute - Anaerobic
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