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Some the scientific research that has been conducted on martial art related subjects

A three-dimensional analysis of the center of mass for three different Judo throwing techniques

R. Imamura, A. Hreljac, R. Escamilla, and W. Edwards
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5 (CSSI), 122 - 131

Four black belt throwers (tori) and one black belt faller (uke) were filmed and analyzed in three-dimensions using two video cameras and motion analysis software. Average linear momentum in the anteroposterior (x), vertical (y), and mediolateral (z) directions and average resultant impulse of uke's center of mass (COM) were investigated for three different throwing techniques; harai-goshi (hip throw), seoi-nage (hand throw), and osoto-gari (leg throw). Each throw was broken down into three main phases; kuzushi (balance breaking), tsukuri (fit-in), and kake (throw).

Conclusions. For the harai-goshi and osoto-gari throws, impulse measurements were the largest within kuzushi and tsukuri phases (where collision between tori and uke predominantly occurs). Both throws indicated an importance for tori to create large momentum prior to contact with uke. The seoi-nage throw demonstrated the lowest impulse and maintained forward momentum on the body of uke throughout the entire throw. The harai-goshi and osoto-gari are considered power throws well-suited for large and strong judo players. The seoi-nage throw is considered more technical and is considered well-suited for shorter players with good agility. A form of resistance by uke was found during the kuzushi phase for all throws. The resistance which can be initiated by tori's push or pull allows for the tsukuri phase to occur properly by freezing uke for a good fit-in. Strategies for initiating an effective resistance include initiating movement of uke so that their COM is shifted to their left (for right handed throw) by incorporating an instantaneous "snap pull" with the pulling hand during kuzushi to create an opposite movement from uke. 

The progress achieved by judokas after strength training with a Judo-specific machine

L. Blais and F. Trilles
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5 (CSSI), 132 - 135

For judo players, as in many sports activities, strength development has become an important element of performance. However, this should not be done separately from the development of technique. Specific strength training is thus used for the controlled strengthening of specific muscles or muscle groups, corresponding to the movement in a competitive situation. In line with this, the use of a judo specific apparatus is proposed. The aim of this study is to analyze the progress of a group of judokas after a training program with the apparatus.

Conclusions. The results have shown that, using the apparatus, the heaviest weight achieved using the throwing technique is greater. In addition, the judokas' technique improves as a consequence of this training program. This judo specific apparatus could therefore be used to complement traditional judo training. 

Incidence of injury in professional mixed martial arts competitions

G. Bledsoe, E. Hsu, J. Grabowski, J. Brill, and G. Li 
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5 (CSSI), 136 - 142

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions were introduced in the United States with the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. In 2001, Nevada and New Jersey sanctioned MMA events after requiring a series of rule changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of injury in professional MMA fighters.

 Data from all professional MMA events that took place between September 2001 and December 2004 in the state of Nevada were obtained from the Nevada Athletic Commission. Medical and outcome data from events were analyzed based on a pair-matched case-control design.  A total of 171 MMA matches involving 220 different fighters occurred during the study period. There were a total of 96 injuries to 78 fighters.

Conclusions. Of the 171 matches fought, 69 (40.3%) ended with at least one injured fighter. The overall injury rate was 28.6 injuries per 100 fight participations or 12.5 injuries per 100 competitor rounds. Facial laceration was the most common injury accounting for 47.9% of all injuries, followed by hand injury (13.5%), nose injury (10.4%), and eye injury (8.3%). With adjustment for weight and match outcome, older age was associated with significantly increased risk of injury. The most common conclusion to a MMA fight was a technical knockout (TKO) followed by a tap out. The injury rate in MMA competitions is compatible with other combat sports involving striking. The lower knockout rates in MMA compared to boxing may help prevent brain injury in MMA events.   

The prevalence of exercise induced bronchoconstriction in elite athletes

M. Unal, T. Sahinkaya, De.Namaraslý, V. Akkaya, and A. Kayserilioglu
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2004) 3, 57-59

For years exercise induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) has been considered as a form of asthma which can be provoked by exercise and air pollution. However, further studies indicated that EIB was not only restricted to asthmatic patients, but could also be seen in healthy individuals. EIB was described as an acute and reversible bronchoconstriction induced 5 to 15 minutes after exercise in certain susceptible individuals.

The incidence of EIB is more than twice as high among athletes (11-50%) compared to the normal population (4-20%). Furthermore, its prevalence is twice as high among winter sports' athletes compared to summer sports' athletes. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate the prevalence of EIB among elite athletes.

The study population consists of 126 male elite athletes (85 soccer players, 25 karateists, 11 swimmers, and 5 wrestlers).  After performing the respiratory function tests, athletes exercised on a treadmill. The speed and the grade of the treadmill increased every 3 minutes according to the protocol until the exhaustion. Electrocardiography (ECG) and blood pressure were continuously monitored, as oxygen uptake was being measured with the "breath by breath" system during the test.

Conclusions. The study found that c 11% to 14% of the elite athletes have EIB when they are tested in laboratory conditions. However, there is no statistical difference in athletic performance (exercise duration and VO2peak) between the groups.

Influence of temperament and anxiety on athletic performance

D. Han, J. Kim, Y. Lee, S. Joeng Bae, S. Jin Bae, H. Kim, M. Sim, Y. Sung, and I. Lyoo
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5, 381 - 389

Our research aimed to conduct basic descriptions of temperamental traits and the level of state and trait anxiety of young male athletes, and to compare them by type of sports. Study participants were 277 athletes and 152 non-athletes who were all high school boys.

Conclusions.  Harm Avoidance score of athletes was higher than that of non-athletes. Harm Avoidance score of golfers was lowest and that of swimmers was highest. The state anxiety score of baseball players was lowest and that of Taekwondo players was highest. The trait anxiety score of baseball players was also lowest and that of golfers was highest. Both trait and state anxieties of the 'winner' group were lower than those of the 'no winner' group. While prior research mainly focused on athletes' environment and phenotypic characteristics, we studied the pattern of temperaments in athletes along with its potential influence on athletic performance. 

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