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The ancient Hellenic art of pankration differed from that of pugilism and wrestling in that it included two additional unique aspects: joint manipulations (including chokes, in the form of groundwork) and kicks. Its history of Olympic competition spans at least 869 years, from 648 BCE to 221 CE. In the following study, the comprehensive list of compiled kicking-related terms includes five general terms, seven primary techniques, six distinct variants, and five strike placement denominations for a total of 23 descriptors, amassed for this purpose for the first time in modern literature. All terms that are to be listed were sourced directly from ancient texts. The study also includes an analysis of how the ancient Greeks viewed kicking techniques in competition based on Hellenic literature of antiquity and pankration depictions (pottery, statues, & reliefs). The goal is to create a comprehensive database of Hellenic pankration's kicking techniques and practises to incorporate in an academically sound modern renewal of the combat sport that can support adequate teaching and competition that can carry into its return to the Olympics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the author examines neoliberal masculinity in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the aftermath of Donald Trump's election. She uses neoliberal masculinity as a framework for understanding how and why the UFC promotes diverse masculinities--including alt-right white masculinity--who can brand themselves for an array of domestic and international markets. She argues that neoliberal masculinity requires entrepreneurial subjects who view the market as the ultimate moral authority and discourage athletes from challenging the sports-media-complex's labor exploitation. The UFC ironically requires a docile athlete-worker that is incongruent with the sport's reputation for hypermasculine performances of power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As sport and failure are unavoidable and part of the nature of the sport experience, understanding how one navigates failure is an important area of research. Guided by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA; Smith et al., 2009) the purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences and role of failure in sport from four Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners. Data collection grounded in Conroy’s (2001a) multidimensional model of fear of failure included three semi-repeated interviews and a singular journal entry. Data analysis revealed the consequences of failure suggested by Conroy (2001a) are relevant to BJJ, specifically, the fear of devaluing one’s self estimate, experiencing shame and embarrassment, and upsetting important others. A novel finding was the contextual nature of fear of upsetting important others both on a community and interpersonal level. Finally, failure was discussed as perceived, thus, future research should investigate the differences between perceived and actual failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omcirk, D, Vetrovsky, T, Padecky, J, Malecek, J, and Tufano, JJ. Validity of commercially available punch trackers. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2273-2281, 2023--This study determined how well data from commercially available punch trackers (Corner, Hykso, and StrikeTec) related to gold-standard velocity and force measures during full-contact punches. In a quasi-randomized order, 20 male subjects performed 6 individual rear straight punches, rear hooks, and rear uppercuts against a wall-mounted force plate. Punch tracker variables were compared with the peak force of the force plate and to the peak (QPV) and mean velocity (QMV) assessed through Qualisys 3-dimensional tracking. For each punch tracker variable, Pearson's correlation coefficient, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean percentage error (MPE) were calculated. There were no strong correlations between punch tracker data and gold-standard force and velocity data. However, Hykso "velocity" was moderately correlated with QMV (r5 0.68, MAPE 0.64, MPE 0.63) and QPV (r50.61, MAPE 0.21, MPE20.06). Corner Power G was moderately correlated with QMV (r 5 0.59, MAPE 0.65, MPE 0.58) and QPV (r 5 0.58, MAPE 0.27, MPE 20.09), but Corner "velocity" was not. StrikeTec "velocity" was moderately correlated with QMV (r50.56, MAPE 1.49, MPE 1.49) and QPV (r50.55, MAPE 0.46, MPE 0.43). Therefore, none of the devices fared particularly well for all of their data output, and if not willing to accept any room for error, none of these devices should be used. Nevertheless, these devices and their proprietary algorithms may be updated in the future, which would warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a sport growing in popularity around the world. However, many individuals participate in the sport with little understanding of the potential short- and long-term consequences of injuries sustained while participating. Specifically, individuals are placed at a high risk of minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussive episodes as a result of head injuries incurred during training and competition. The current review aimed to examine the literature surrounding the occurrence and outcomes of mTBI in MMA athletes to gain a better understanding of these consequences. Twenty-five studies were identified within the current review, of which 14 examined occurrence of mTBI within the sport setting, and elevenidentified outcomes of injury. Overall, studies found that MMA athletes experienced mTBI and concussion to a greater extent than athletes in other sports. Deficits in memory, reaction time and processing speed were identified following occurrence of mTBI; however, several gaps in outcome measurement were identified within the current literature, including a lack of focus on speech and language outcomes. Future research should examine a wider variety of outcomes to provide a clearer understanding of the consequences of participating in the sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-Martial-Arts(MMA) is a worldwide growing sport that incorporates different fighting styles and disciplines and is often associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC). The aim of this study is to explore the patterns and trends of upper limb injuries in MMA. Ringside physician reports of the UFC fights between 2016 and 2019(inclusive) were extracted and screened from the Nevada State Athletic Commission(NSAC). The following variables were included: sex, weight division, injury mechanism, injury type, injury location, and type of finish. Injury rates were calculated and expressed per 100 athletic exposures (AE). An independent t-test, a one way analysis of variance(ANOVA), and a Joinpoint regression analysis were conducted to explore any significant differences or trends among variables. P-values<0.05 were considered significant(95% CI). A total of 81 upper limb injuries in 408 fights were recorded between 2016 and 2019. The injury rate was 9.9 injuries per 100 athletic-exposures(AE). Striking opponents was the most common mechanism of injury(p < 0.001). The hand was the most commonly injured location with an injury rate of 6.61 per 100AE(p < 0.001). Females had a higher upper limb injury rate than their male counterparts, but the difference failed to reach significance(p = 0.454). Similarly, no significant differences existed between rates of different types of injures. Matches ending with decision had the highest number of upper limb injuries with a rate of 12.6 per 100AE; however, no significant difference was determined between the rates of different ways of finish(p = 0.115). The strawweight(20.5 per 100AE), female flyweight(19.2 per 100AE), and male flyweight(13.8 per 100AE) divisions had the highest upper limb injury rates. The hand was the most commonly injured upper limb location in MMA, and 'striking opponent' was the most common injury mechanism. Increasing padding in gloves and implementing medical examinations during bouts can help reduce injury rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how participants responded to incidents of athlete-perpetrated intimate partner violence in two separate contexts: one featuring an athlete from a league that is at peak popularity among sports audiences (National Football League; NFL) and one featuring an athlete from an up-and-coming league that currently has a lower standing in professional sports (Ultimate Fighting Championship League; UFC). The authors used the social ecological model to qualitatively analyze participant perceptions about athlete-perpetrated intimate partner violence composite news packages. For the purpose of this study specifically, they centered on 1,124 responses to one of the open-ended qualitative questions asked in a larger quantitative experiment. The authors found that the participants most frequently attributed the perpetrator's behavior to either individual or relationship-level reasons and that there were differences in the level attributed for participants of different races and ethnicities. They also determined that the participants were more likely to ascribe the violence to the suspect's job (i.e., athlete) if they were a UFC fighter than an NFL player. Theoretical extensions of the social ecological model and practical implications for journalists, the media, and fans are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Athletes in combat sports who have sustained facial hematomas during competition have traditionally been treated with an enswell. These treatments take place between rounds of the competition and generally last less than 60 seconds. The efficacy of this modality has not been studied. Other modalities may provide a more effective cryotherapy treatment in this timeframe. Objective: To compare the efficacy of different forms of rapid cryotherapy to cause surface temperature changes of the face within 60 seconds of application . Design. Crossover study. Setting : Laboratory . Participants: Eleven healthy men ( age 21 . 73 [1.42] y, mass 82.1 [5.6] kg, height 177.2 [7,0] cm). Interventions. A 60-second treatment using chilled surgical steel enswell, copper, commercial cold pack, aluminum, brass, ice cube, ice pack, and saltwater pack . Main Outcome Measures : Preintervention and postintervention surface facial temperatures. Results: The ice bag, cold pack, ice cube, saltwater pack, and stainless-steel enswell caused statistically different temperatures preintervention to postintervention. The ice bag and saltwater pack cause statistically greater cooling than the other materials tested . Conclusions : This study does not support the clinical use of an enswell to provide short-duration cryotherapy treatments to facial tissue, as ice packs are more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent scholarship suggests that women in martial arts and combat sports have increasingly begun to undo gender by challenging gender norms and constructing new femininities. Most of this research, however, has focused on gender dynamics within martial arts and combat sports settings, rather than outside of them. For this study, I conducted semistructured interviews with 40 professional women's mixed martial arts athletes to examine the extent to which these women challenged gender norms in their intimate relationships. My data revealed that because they possess traits that are traditionally interpreted as masculine, many of the heterosexual women in my sample actually oversubscribe to gender norms in their intimate relationships to combat feelings of feminine insecurity. I argue, therefore, that rather than undoing gender, these women overdo gender in their intimate relationships. This study provides a cautionary tale to the celebrations of undoing gender for women combat sports athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to develop a philosophical framework for what I argue are the Nietzschean and Kantian aspects of professional boxing matches: narrative dissimulation and moral obligation. The overarching objective of the analysis is to shed a critical light on brief intervals of boxing competitions (the minute between rounds) that are crucial but often overlooked in the philosophical literature devoted to boxing and, indeed, combat sport more generally. Additionally, in characterizing more fully the philosophical complexities of cornerman and boxer interactions in the flow of such a violent and dangerous sport, the analysis aims to make explicit some of what is unique—and uniquely problematic—to competing in and coaching professional pugilism and, by extension, other combat sports, such as mixed martial arts (MMA) and Muay Thai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While most professional sports quickly postponed their seasons due to COVID- 19, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) took a decidedly contrarian approach as president Dana White continued to promote UFC 249 until pressure forced its cancelation on April 9, 2020. Drawing from work on sport and spectacle and the media as well as sport management scholarship on crisis management, the authors provide a commentary on the mediated spectacle of White's (eventually successful) efforts to promote UFC 249 during the pandemic. Drawing from numerous media sources, they discuss how White sought to control the public narrative in several key ways. The authors further explore how White decried the seriousness of the pandemic while centralizing the UFC's place in the U.S. sporting landscape. Finally, the authors discuss how White's efforts might both help and hinder the UFC as a mainstream sports promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting in a competition is not necessarily wrong and is often, as far as we can tell, permissible. Our argument has two premises. First, if an act does not infringe on anyone's moral right or violate another side-constraint, then it is morally permissible. Second, MMA-violence does not infringe on anyone's moral right or violate another side-constraint. The first premise rests on two assumptions. First, if a person does a wrong act, then he wrongs someone. Second, if one person wrongs a second, then the first infringes on the second's right. We then look at Nicholas Dixon's powerful Kantian argument that MMA fighting is wrong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background It is common practice for fight sport athletes to use a variety of weight manipulation strategies to compete in desired weight classes. Although numerous studies have highlighted rapid weight loss (RWL) strategies and the magnitude of weight loss, few have focused specifically on weight loss in female fighters. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information on professional UFC female fighters engaging in RWL in all women’s UFC weight divisions: strawweight (52.2 kg): flyweight (56.7 kg); bantamweight (61.2 kg); featherweight (65.8 kg). Methods All fighter’s weights were obtained at five separate time points: 72 hrs. pre-weigh-in, 48 hrs. pre-weigh-in, 24hrs. pre-weigh-in, official weigh-in, and 24 hrs. post-weigh-in (competition weight). Mixed effects models and random effects analysis were used to assess changes in weight and differences between weight divisions. All statistics were analyzed, and significance was set at p ≤0.05. Significant changes in weight between all time points were reported. Results No statistical differences between weight divisions were observed. Female fighters lost 4.5–6.6% of their weight prior to the official weigh-in. Conclusion Females engaged in RWL practices lose weight in a similar fashion irrespective of weight class.

This paper offers a discussion of the role demands facing referees working in mixed martial arts (MMA), as well as the factors that determine their performance in managing them. To do so, it uses data derived from a qualitative, ethnographic investigation based on field observations carried out at 16 competitive MMA events, plus interviews with seven referees, six of whom had extensive experience of working at the highest international levels of the sport. This data reveals several specific problems that these professionals must navigate, along with the attributes, skills and resources they identify as necessary for doing so. The paper then discusses ways in which applied sport psychology interventions can contribute towards the work of referees, particularly with respect to handling the mental demands of working in this uniquely challenging sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper limb strikes are frequent movements in combat sports and self-defence systems, in which numerous types of strikes can be applied. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarise and compare the mechanical consequences of different types of upper limb strikes among various sports disciplines. A literature search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, with the following search formula: (impact force) AND (strike) AND (taekwondo) OR (karate) OR (self-defence) OR (combat sport) OR (boxing). The search resulted in 28 studies describing 9 kinds of strikes, where straight punches and reverse punches have larger mean impact forces than the kung fu punch (p < 0.001) and that a palm strike had a lower strike velocity (p < 0.001) than a reverse punch, straight punch, or junzuki punch. The highest recorded mean force was found for a straight punch (3427 N). Athletes in mixed martial arts, trainers of self-defence or tactical coaches can expect that straight punches and reverse punches should be performed at high speeds (over 10 m/s) and provide similar or larger impacts than other upper limb strikes; therefore, those punches should favour a combat athlete to win a competition or succeed in self-defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA) are popular sports with substantial risk for both acute and chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although rare, combat sports athletes have died in the ring or soon after the completion of a bout. Deaths in these instances are usually the result of an acute catastrophic neurological event such as an acute subdural hematoma (SDH). Other causes may include acute epidural hematoma (EDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH), or a controversial, rare, and still disputed clinical entity called second-impact syndrome (SIS). Neuroimaging or brain imaging is currently included in the process of registering for a license to compete in combat sports in some jurisdictions of the United States of America and around the world. However, the required imaging specifics and frequency vary with no consensus guidelines. The Association of Ringside Physicians (an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and safety of the combat sports athlete) sets forth this consensus statement to establish neuroimaging guidelines in combat sports. Commissions, ringside physicians, combat sports athletes, trainers, promoters, sanctioning bodies, and other healthcare professionals can use this statement for risk stratification of a professional combat sports athlete prior to licensure, identifying high-risk athletes and for prognostication of the brain health of these athletes over the course of their career. Guidelines are also put forth regarding neuroimaging requirements in the immediate aftermath of a bout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article addresses the problem of identifying the technical-tactical training means of mixed martial arts fighters (MMA) who are in the in-depth specialization and orientation stage towards high performance. The problem of the compatibility of the means taken from all fighting styles, with the physical effort and the technical structures in the training of athletes reaches the goal of achieving the biophysical factors that include the general physical development and the development of physical balance, the psycho-individual factors that aim at knowledge, skills and abilities in order to learn the technical - tactical elements and psychosocial factors that constitute interpersonal relationships, socio-affective relationships. Through these means, the balance of body segments is formed and developed. Methods. In order to carry out the research tasks, the following scientific methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalization of specialized literature data; evidence and control in sports training; pedagogical observation; tabular method; the pedagogical experiment; statisticalmathematical methods of processing and interpreting the recorded data. Since the research in question aims to increase the efficiency of the instructional-educational process within the training lesson of the fifth-year advanced training group in mixed martial arts, a pedagogical experiment was carried out at the "Stefan cel Mare" Police Academy regarding the level of training in a series of experimental tests, focused on technical-tactical training, as specified within the specialized federation. Results. Based on the study of the scientific literature, it was established that the implementation of technical-tactical means in training performance athletes has a decisive influence. The means of technical procedures selected from different types of fights contribute to the development of strength-speed skills that are important in the process of achieving performance results. Thus, through the methodology developed in order to implement the technical arsenal in the training of martial arts fighters, it demonstrated an indisputable efficiency materialized by improving strength-speed abilities and by training the skills of directing parameter principles specific to modern MMA fighting technique. Following the application of the experimental program in the formative experiment, it was clearly demonstrated that the experimental group registered a significant superiority from a static point of view in the final tests for all motor tests applied (PË,0.001). Conclusions. The paper demonstrated the need for technical-tactical training of MMA fighters in the in-depth specialization and orientation stage towards great performance through the means used in all fighting styles. More than that, there were significant divergences in the compartment related to the ratio between the strikes applied to different parts of the body in the technical-tactical training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In an itinerant caravan during the 1980s and 1990s, Rei Zulu challenged hundreds of fighters all over Brazil without choosing opponents, weight category, or specific modality for vale tudo fights, being considered by some journalists as the greatest showman of this competitive practice. This article aims to analyze the background and the path taken by Rei Zulu to become one of the most prominent vale tudo fighters in Brazil. Based on the triangulation of sources, including news from Brazilian newspapers, interviews, biographies, and books on the topic, we verified the existence of a previous historical context of this fighting style in Maranhão, his home state, and the modus operandi he developed for his shows. It was concluded that vale tudo was practiced in Maranhão, since the 1950's, and that the historical context played a significant role in the rise of Rei Zulu as a local icon. He was responsible for finding opponents through challenges on radios, newspapers, and television shows. Rei Zulu also took over the organization of the events, their promotion and ticket sales. He also performed the main fight of the show and entertained the audience with faces, dances, and acrobatics during the fight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a phenomenon in combat sports called the glass jaw or glass chin. It is the ability of a fighter to withstand punches to the jaw area without falling unconscious and thus receiving a knockout. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the possibility of developing a glass jaw over the course of a fighter's career, and whether certain fighters are more predisposed to experiencing knockouts. Utilizing data from the largest Mixed Martial Arts organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, spanning from 2010 to 2021, statistical models reveal that certain fighters may be more susceptible to knockouts compared to others. Conversely, it could not be shown that the probability of a future knockout loss, that is developing a glass jaw, increased with the number of knockouts received. However, there remains space for a more detailed investigation of this phenomenon. The historically debated resistance training of punches to the head area cannot be recommended. Conversely, it is advisable to observe the fighters' reactions to punches to the head in order to pick out those with a greater predisposition for a knockout. They should then be especially cautious when practicing combat sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Physical activity has been shown to have a multitude of mental health benefits. However, there is limited evidence on the specific mental health benefits of boxing. We conducted a scoping review of academic and grey literature to map research of boxing exercises as an intervention in mental health and to identify gaps in knowledge. Methods : The authors utilized the PRISMA-ScR methodological approach and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and a structured search was completed from inception until August 08, 2022. Results : We identified 16 documents that used non-contact boxing as an exercise intervention that improved various mental health difficulties. Non-contact boxing exercises, usually in a high-intensity-interval training group setting, provided significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Non-contact boxing provided a cathartic release of anger and stress, with evidence of improved mood, self-esteem, confidence, concentration, metabolic burden, strength and coordination. Conclusions : Preliminary evidence indicates that non-contact boxing exercises are a promising intervention to improve mental health burden. Further well designed randomized controlled trials using group, non-contact boxing exercises as an intervention for common mental disorders are warranted to confirm its benefits for mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the type of combat sport and the degree of athletic proficiency on the specificity of musculoskeletal injuries suffered by Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts practitioners.

Background and Study Aim. To study the influence of power load regimes different in energy supply and intensity on functional capabilities of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes. Material and Methods. We examined 75 men aged 19±0.7 who had been practicing MMA for 4±0.8 years. The athletes were divided into 3 groups, 25 participants in each group. The study participants used power load regimes of different intensity in conditions of anaerobic-glycolytic and anaerobic-alactate energy supply of muscle activity. The study lasted 12 weeks. To assess the functional capabilities of athletes in these conditions we used the method of maximum strength development (1 RM). Control of biochemical blood parameters (creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone) allowed determining features of adaptive and compensatory body reactions in response to loads. Results. During the study the 3rd group athletes showed the most pronounced increase (by 40.1%; р

The current paper examines how men are socialized to the ideal of fighter masculinity in the context of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a combat sport mixing ground fighting and striking. Such work is timely because the fighter masculinity ideal underlies consumer cultural fascination with MMA, evident in advertising and branding of numerous fight promotions, lifestyle clothing and accessory brands, news and media channels, and fitness gyms. The theoretical focus on fighter masculinity addresses the paucity of research on how consumer identities are socialized. Utilizing long interviews with male amateur practitioners of MMA, the current research elucidates identity socialization as a multi-influence process that unfolds over an extended period in men's lives. The findings uncover four novel consumer identity socialization processes: awakening, sanctioning, glamorizing, and incorporating, each associated with distinct socialization contexts and influences that enhance the resonance of fighter masculinity. This research also highlights the need to broaden consumer socialization frameworks in line with the post-cognitive notion of cultural enculturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With this article we present findings from the research on professional MMA fighters and their perception of health and injury. The frequency and types of injuries they have sustained while practicing MMA were analysed alongside self-assessment of health conditions and attitudes towards health problems. We also analyze fighters' risk culture of neglecting pain and underestimating injuries, and the organization of health care in the event of an injury. A mixed methodology was applied. We administered a questionnaire to 88 male professional MMA athletes. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 athletes from the surveyed group. Respondents' mean age was 27.5. They had sound MMA experience, with the most experienced competing in over 20 professional fights. Investigated athletes reported numerous health problems, high injury rate and frequent occurrence of pain. The MMA risk culture seemed to shape specific competitors' perceptions and responses to injury and health problems and specific hierarchy of injury severity. MMA athletes showed a high level of risk acceptance regarding their health and the social and economic terms of their professional MMA involvement. They also reported inadequate medical care and oversight, and independently organised and financed medical and rehabilitation treatments. Nevertheless, for investigated athletes this risk culture seems to be internalized and considered an acceptable cost of their professional sport involvement and recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing visibility of male Asian Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters and the cultural affinity between martial arts and Asianness call for reassessment of dominant racial and gender stereotypes. This study examines online UFC fans' discursive formulation of four dominant scripts surrounding Asian masculinities and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting – the othering script, the inferior script, the martial artist script and the hypermasculine script – which contradict each other internally and externally with the cagefighting bodies of male Asian fighters. While fans often construct male fighters' Asianness as a source of athletic inferiority and otherness, they also celebrate these fighters' achievements to act upon UFC's hypermasculine script of MMA. The heteronormative underpinnings of these accounts, however, render the 'selective authorisation' of Asian masculinities problematic. A new conception of normative manhood independent of toxic hate, physical domination and heterosexuality is needed to envision genuine emancipation for marginalised and subordinated masculinities in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology is the property of Idokan Poland Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper deals with a phenomenon in combat sports called the glass jaw or glass chin. It is the ability of a fighter to withstand punches to the jaw area without falling unconscious and thus receiving a knockout. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the possibility of developing a glass jaw over the course of a fighter's career, and whether certain fighters are more predisposed to experiencing knockouts. Utilizing data from the largest Mixed Martial Arts organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, spanning from 2010 to 2021, statistical models reveal that certain fighters may be more susceptible to knockouts compared to others. Conversely, it could not be shown that the probability of a future knockout loss, that is developing a glass jaw, increased with the number of knockouts received. However, there remains space for a more detailed investigation of this phenomenon. The historically debated resistance training of punches to the head area cannot be recommended. Conversely, it is advisable to observe the fighters' reactions to punches to the head in order to pick out those with a greater predisposition for a knockout. They should then be especially cautious when practicing combat sports.

Women now compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship for which Muay Thai is a feeder discipline. It is timely to analyze how the tools of this pugilist trade, women's bodies, are lived and discursively positioned. We explore how bodily attributes (strength and beauty) are positioned vis-a-vis women fighters by drawing on 17 interviews with women Muay Thai fighters. We argue while women are in control of their bodies and proud of their strength, normative narratives of fighting being unfeminine must be combatted. Theoretically, we expand discussion of gender and the body by deploying the 'pretty imperative' to examine how women's quotidian practices open space for other women fighters and by engaging the notion of ingenious agency to reveal women's strategic efforts for inclusion and acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding interactions between sport fans helps sport marketers customize relationships with the fans and enhance brand loyalty. This paper analyzes the social exchanges that take place in an online sport community and identifies possible fan roles and their influences in the community. Based on a netnography approach, the study identifies 4 different types of role—Oracles, Hollywoods, Jokers, and Rookies—yielding a typology of sport fans that denotes their roles in the online community. This typology may serve as a useful foundation in which a more comprehensive classification of sport fans could be developed. The study contributes to sport communication literature by bringing together the concepts of identity, social exchange, and role theory relative to sport-fan behavior in an online social community. The research offers suggestions for sport organizations regarding leveraging the value cocreated among sport fans and the leadership that emerged in the online sport community to develop effective sport communication programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport with a high incidence of concussions, including knockouts (KO) due to direct attacks to the head. Once a concussion occurs in a fighter, the rate of concussion recurrence increases. Therefore, participation in matches may be weakened to head impacts as fighters experience repeated concussions. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the occurrence of concussions in male mixed martial arts athletes during the most recent match and their past match records. The analysis included 104 male fighters who competed in elite-level professional MMA competitions. In the most current match, 44 fighters experienced a concussion and 60 fighters did not. Previous KO losses (mean, 2.9) were significantly higher in the fighters who had experienced a concussion compared to fighters who had not (p < 0.0001). Concussion rates (65.0%) were significantly higher in fighters with three or more previous KO losses compared with the rates for fighters with less than 3 previous KO losses (p = 0.03). The odds ratio for the occurrence of concussions in fighters with a history of KO losses was 2.3 times that of fighters without a history of KO losses (p = 0.004). Fighters who had competed in more than 30 matches had a significantly higher incidence of concussions (60.8%) than fighters who had competed in less than 30 matches (37.0%) (p = 0.04). The occurrence of concussions in male MMA fighters is related to the number of previous KO losses and the number of matches.

This document is a corrigendum, or correction, for an article titled "Enhancing performance: unveiling the physiological impact of submaximal and supramaximal tests on mixed martial arts athletes in the −61 kg and −66 kg weight divisions." The correction addresses errors in the funding and acknowledgments statements of the original article. The authors apologize for the errors and state that they do not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. The original article has been updated. [Extracted from the article]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. To succeed in full contact combat sports like mixed martial arts, tae kwon do, and boxing, athletes must deliver a greater number of damaging strikes than they receive. Producing knockdowns, rendering unconsciousness, and scoring points can be accomplished through the application of high magnitudes of striking forces. There is evidence that striking forces can be enhanced through either nonspecific or specific strength and conditioning methods or a combination thereof. To better assist practitioners working with combat sport athletes, this article reviews current empirical evidence on how combat sport athletes respond to different methods of resistance training and offers practical recommendations for implementing nonspecific and specific exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Combat sports, including MMA and BJJ place very high and varied demands on athletes in terms of strength and strength-endurance training. The aim of the present study was to level of development motor fitness athletes combat sports and examine their relationship with training experience, and high sports performance. Methods: Thirty athletes were studied and compared between two groups: MMA (N=15) and BJJ (N=15). Somatic measurements were performed. Selected manifestations of the athlete's potential in terms of strength and strength endurance were also measured, using selected tests from the International Physical Fitness Test (EUROFIT) battery, and relative strength and MAW indices were calculated. A coach ranking of athletes by sports achievement was developed. Next, the strength of the relationship of the effect of the aspects of strength and conditioning with training experience and sports performance was assessed. Results: The level of motor fitness in the groups was significantly different between the athletes of these sports in terms of strength and strength endurance abilities (p=0.006-0.038). A higher level of these elements of fitness was displayed by BJJ athletes. In both groups, significant correlations were found between the motor effect and the training experience (r=0.53-0.89) also sports result (r=0.53-0.76). Conclusions: The results allow for the initial diagnosis and interpretation of motor fitness competencies along with the profile of its key manifestations in MMA and BJJ, which promotes optimization of the quality of coaching control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the influence of the competitive level and weight class on technical performance and physiological and psychophysiological responses during simulated MMA fights. Twenty MMA male athletes were divided into four groups: heavyweight elite (HWE; n = 6), lightweight elite (LWE; n = 3), heavyweight professional (HWP; n = 4), and lightweight professional (LWP; n = 7). All athletes performed four simulated fights of three 5-min rounds with a 1-min rest interval. Each fight was recorded using a video camera to analyze offensive and defensive actions. Moreover, the following measures were made: heart rate (before and after each round), blood lactate concentration (before and after the fight), readiness state (before each round), and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (after each round). The main findings were: i) LWE athletes applied more offensive touches than LWP athletes; ii) HWP athletes presented higher heart rate values than LWP athletes after the first round; however, LWP athletes presented greater heart rate changes than HWP athletes from the first to the second round; iii) no differences existed between groups in blood lactate concentration and readiness state; and iv) HWP and LWP athletes presented higher RPE values than LWE athletes in the first and third rounds; however, LWE athletes presented greater RPE changes than HWE, HWP, and LWP athletes from the first to the second and third rounds. This study shows that LWE athletes apply more offensive touches than LWP athletes during simulated MMA fights. Moreover, lightweight athletes tend to increase their physiological demand as the combat evolves, which is also reflected in their RPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research featured online comments to posts published by mixed martial arts fans on My Life is MMA VK.com community page. The research objective was to identify the sources of conflict situations. The authors developed an experimental method of interpretive analysis to obtain secondary (interpretive) statements that revealed the interpretive activities of addressees. Trolling and flaming proved to be popular forms of speech aggression, typical of social nets. The authors believe that aggressive nature of mixed martial arts and the so-called trash-talk can trigger conflict situations in online communication.

This book makes an urgently needed intervention in a sport media context where media visibility is lauded as inherently beneficial for women athletes and a marker of gender progress in sport. As McClearen explains, "incorporating difference becomes a key strategy for the millennial sports media brand, as it allows the UFC to entice diverse fighters and fans" (p. 37). [Extracted from the article]

Enfin, l'article de Neveu examine la pénétration des technologies dans le monde du golf et les usages qu'en font les différents types de golfeurs en France. Le troisième article de Séraphin et Dosquet se concentre sur la place des enfants dans les stratégies de tourisme durable et responsable. Sánchez-García et Villanueva évaluent les données sociodémographiques, les habitudes de chasse et les perceptions des propriétaires de meutes de chiens au moyen d'une enquête. [Extracted from the article]

Ethylene vinyl acetate mouthguards are the most often used custom protective intraoral appliances by combat sports practitioners. However, due to the difficulties in maintaining the hygiene of such mouthguards and thinning during fabrication, resulting in difficulty in predicting final dimensions, they may not be the optimal solution. The aim of this research was to evaluate an innovative method of mouthguard formation using intraoral modeling of the mouthguard pattern, hybrid acrylic material, and the addition of ZnO nanoparticles. Seventeen mouthguards patterns and 34 custom mouthguards were evaluated: 17 hybrid and 17 nanohybrid. A total of 1122 measurements were performed: each mouthguard and pattern was measured at 22 points. Statistical analyses were performed with the use of IBM® SPSS® Statistics 27.0.0 software (IBM, Armonk, NY USA). The mean thickness of the patterns and mouthguards at all labial areas of central incisors were between 4.65 and 4.80 mm. The thickness at the buccal surface of the first molar was between 3.71 and 4 mm, and at the occlusal surface between 3.40 and 3.56 mm in the cusp area. All measurements of hybrid and nanohybrid mouthguards were strongly and highly correlated with the measurements of the mouthguard patterns. Hybrid and nanohybrid mouthguards are an advantageous alternative to thermoformed custom appliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between self-reported concussion history and stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life among Icelandic female athletes. Participants were 508 Icelandic female athletes, aged 18–45 (M = 26.99, SD = 7.14), that had, or were currently training and competing in the two top leagues in basketball, soccer, and handball, in the top league in ice-hockey and national tournaments in mixed martial arts, taekwondo, karate, and boxing. Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their age, sport, and concussion history before answering standard mental health scales concerning stress (PSS), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and quality of life (QOLS). Female athletes reporting a history of concussions scored higher on PSS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 than those reporting no history of concussion. Scores on the QOLS were not significantly different between the groups. Female athletes that had sustained a concussion were 3.48 to 4.85 times more likely (depending on the number of concussions) to score above the clinical cut-off on PHQ-9 than those that had not sustained a concussion. Athletes that reported 2–3 or ≥ 4 concussions were 3.52 and 3.40 times more likely to score above the clinical cut-off on GAD-7, respectively. Results indicate that Icelandic female athletes with a history of concussion report more symptoms of distress than those with no history of concussion, and the higher number of concussions sustained, the worse they feel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review paper Effects of Application of Sports Management during Pandemic COVID-19to International Top Sports Football Club and Ultimate Fight Championship, based on the latest studies, relates to performance of structure of management of sport organizations during pandemic of COVID-19. Organizing sport competitions, tournaments, matches and trainings at this period of time, was considered as a great challenge, especially for the clubs which compete on international level. Additional challenge for sport organizations was compliance with epidemic measures dictated by WHO (World Health Organization). Focus analysis was related to organizing sport contents and responds to business and sports activities to pandemic of COVID-19 of international top-level sport football clubs, league of "five" and clubs of Ultimate Fight Championship. Analysis included of football clubs: F.C. Barcelona, F.C. Manchester United, AC Milan, F.C. Bayern München and F.C. Borussia Dortmund in relation to UFC teams: Straight Blast Gym Ireland, American Kick-box Academy (AKA), Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts, American Top Team (ATT) of football and ultimate fight championship, during pandemic. Clubs, selected by method of random subject, based on sport results achieved on national levels of competition and four criteria were used, from domain of review papers, by PRISM methodology 1: all sources of data (magazines, published papers etc) in English; 2. Period of organization of sport competitions and football matches during the pandemic of COVID-19; 3. Evident differences, which occurred during pandemic COVID-19; 4. Published papers are focused on business and organizational form. There is significant difference in obtained financial effects and different innovative solutions, which can be used as new experiences in further studies, were offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]