Effects of Aikido and Taijiquan Training Among Mixed Martial Arts Players

Riphah International University

Status

Completed

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Treatments

Other: Taijiquan training

Other: Aikido training

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07329504

REC/RCR & AHS/24/0487

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a physically demanding sport that requires athletes to maintain high levels of strength, flexibility, rapid response, and power. However, the intense focus on strength and endurance training in MMA can often result in neglecting joint health, flexibility, and relaxation techniques. Traditional martial arts, such as Aikido and Taijiquan, offer a complementary training approach emphasizing fluid movement, balance, and relaxation, which could be beneficial for MMA athletes. Aikido focuses on harmonizing movement and using an opponent's momentum to neutralize their power, while Taijiquan emphasizes controlled movements and internal power ("qi") to enhance body awareness and relaxation. This study investigates the effects of Aikido and Taijiquan on joint mobility, reaction time, and power among MMA athletes, aiming to determine whether these martial arts can enhance performance and reduce injury risk.

This randomized clinical trial will involve 17 MMA athletes divided into two groups: Group A (Aikido training) and Group B (Taijiquan training). Over an eight-week period, each group will engage in three weekly training sessions lasting 60-75 minutes. Key performance indicators, including joint mobility (Sit and Reach Test), reaction time (Catch the Ruler Test), and power (Vertical Jump Test), will be measured before and after the training program. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS software, with significance set at p=0.05, employing the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test for within-group and between-group comparisons, respectively.

Full description

It will be a Randomized Clinical Trial study.The sample size of the study will be 34 participants (19 in each group) through non probability sampling technique. Data will be collected from Pakistan sports board coaching center LHR & Roar Martial Arts Fitness Club Lahore.Data will be collected within 10 months after approval of synopsis.

Inclusion Criteria:

Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.

Data Collection Tools:

Hip Joint mobility will be assessed using sit-to-reach test
Reaction time will be evaluated through hexagon test.
Power will be evaluated through vertical jump test

Enrollment

38 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 30 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).

Exclusion criteria

Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.