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The influence of aerobic variables on mixed martial arts (MMA) performance is currently unknown. This study aimed to compare the laboratory-measured aerobic variables of MMA participants to the external load and intensity of MMA sparring bouts to determine the effect of aerobic capacity on performance. Ten participants (age = 24 ± 2.8 years; mass = 74.3 ± 8.2 kg; stature = 176.8 ± 7.9 cm) completed the following: a treadmill-graded exercise test to measure V̇O2max, VT1 and VT2; 3 × 5 mins sparring bout equipped with a Catapult Optimeye S5 accelerometer recording Playerload (PLdACC) and Playerload per minute (PLdACC∙min−1), with a sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) recorded as internal intensity. Median V̇O2max (53.3 ml∙kg∙min−1) was used to split the cohort into the top 50% and bottom 50%. Pearson's r correlations (BF10 ≥ 3) were calculated between GXT and sparring variables. V̇O2max (53.1 ± 5.9 ml∙kg∙min−1) was found to have very large (r ≥.70) linear relationships with PLdACC (161.4 ± 27.2 AU) and PLdACC∙min−1 (10.7 ± 1.8AU). The top 50% group maintained moderate sRPE (4-6AU) and greater PLdACC∙min−1 throughout the bout, with the bottom 50% group's sRPE moving from moderate to high (>7AU) indicating V̇O2max <53 ml∙kg∙min−1 is related to increased internal intensity. These data support the aerobic nature of MMA and may provide aerobic capacity targets for athletes and coaches to aim for during competition preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents reply to letter to the editor focuses on responding to Williams et al.'s critique of sex verification procedures in women's sports, proposing a more ethical and equitable approach. Topics include the flaws in the International Olympic Committee's framework, the advantages male athletes gain from developmental androgenization, and the importance of standardized, ethical sex verification processes to ensure fairness in sport.

Purpose: Combat-sport athletes commonly undergo rapid weight loss prior to prebout weigh-in and subsequently rapid weight gain (RWG) prior to competition. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of RWG and weight differential (WD) between opponents on competitive success. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing events held between 2015 and 2019. The primary outcome was RWG (relative and absolute) between weigh-in and competition stratified by bout winners and losers. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationships among bout outcome, RWG, and WD between competitors on the day of their bout. Results: Among 708 MMA athletes included, winners regained more relative body mass (8.7% [3.7%] vs 7.9% [3.8%], P <.01) than losers. In 1392 included male boxers, winners regained significantly more relative body mass (8.0% [3.0%] vs 6.9% [3.2%], P <.01) than losers. Each percentage body mass increase resulted in a 7% increased likelihood of victory in MMA and a 13% increase in boxing. The relationship between RWG and competitive success remained significant in regional and male international MMA athletes, as well as boxers. WD predicted victory in international mixed martial artists and boxers. WD predicted victory by knockout or technical knockout in international MMA athletes and regional boxers. Conclusion: This analysis of combat-sport athletes indicates that RWG and WD influence competitive success. These findings raise fair-play and safety concerns in these popular sports and may help guide risk-mitigating regulation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of strength and conditioning (S&C) for improving judo performance and reducing injuries have been widely studied. However, the S&C practices used and perspectives held by those delivering S&C have yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated the S&C practices and perspectives of judokas and S&C coaches working within judo. Forty-two judokas and 9 S&C coaches completed an online survey comprising 6 sections: (a) written informed consent; (b) background information; (c) education, qualifications, and prescription; (d) views on S&C (e) exercise selection; and (f) issues and improvements. Frequency analysis was used to report responses to fixed-response questions and thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Results indicated that S&C coaches were primarily responsible for delivering S&C programs (60%), and S&C information was predominantly sourced from S&C coaches (43%). Strength and conditioning was deemed very important for randori (78-88%), overall judo performance (67-79%), and judo fitness (62-78%). Similarly, S&C was considered very important for the development of speed and power (76-89%), strength (71-89%), and injury reduction (69-78%). Novel findings were also observed, such as integrating judo-specific training within S&C practice, which may be partly explained by more S&C coaches holding judo belts (67%) than S&C qualifications (11%). This study supports practitioners delivering S&C in judo by offering a base of information to critique or align with their existing S&C practices and perspectives. Furthermore, our results may help identify potential gaps between methods used, proposed guidelines, and actual practice, facilitating the development of research and education resources tailored to the current climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the renewed debate over eligibility criteria for women's sports following controversies at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where athletes with alleged male advantages competed in the female category. Topics discussed include the necessity of excluding male advantages for fair competition, the limitations and ethical concerns of past sex verification methods, and the proposal for modern genetic screening as a solution to ensure fair and safe participation in female sports.

The physical demands of mixed martial arts (MMA) training and competition is not yet well quantified. The Applied Research Model for the Sport Sciences (ARMSS) provides a framework through which to conduct sport science, determining pertinent questions to test research findings in real-world settings. The aim of this review was to evaluate MMA research within the context of ARMSS to critically analyse our understanding of the physical requirements of MMA training and competition. Research databases were searched, with 70 peer-reviewed articles being discussed in relation to the specific stage of the ARMSS in which their results best fit. MMA research was found to be mostly foundational and descriptive in nature and has generally not developed along systematic lines. The internal and external loads and responses to training and competition have not been adequately identified. Therefore, it is not currently possible to state which variables are key predictors of success, or how coaches can optimally manipulate these variables. We propose that MMA research be refocused to be conducted within ARMSS. Specifically, stage 2 studies describing the physical, physiological and technical demands of MMA training and competition, and stage 3 studies determining the physiological predictors of performance should be initially prioritised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]