Anthropometric characteristics of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes and their relationship with anaerobic performance

Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva; Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida; Mario Antônio de Moura Simim; Leonardo Vidal  Andreato; Gustavo R. da Mota

doi:10.18002/rama.v20i2.2513

Authors

Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4509-937X
Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida University of Itauna, Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1688-4958
Mario Antônio de Moura Simim Physical Education and Parasports Laboratory, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4659-8357
Leonardo Vidal Andreato Graduate Program of Health Promotion of Cesumar University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4739-4265
Gustavo R. da Mota Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6109-0658

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18002/rama.v20i2.2513

Keywords:

Martial arts, combat sports, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, BJJ, fat free mass, grappling sport, performance, power test

Abstract

Anaerobic metabolism is crucial to Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (BJJ), principally during the decisive moments of the match, to perform sweeps, throws, and ground techniques. However, little is known about the association between anthropometric variables with anaerobic performance. Objectives: To describe the peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) obtained in the Wingate test by BJJ athletes, to investigate the correlations between PP and MP and anthropometric variables, and to identify the anthropometric predictors of anaerobic performance. Methods: Twenty male BJJ athletes (aged: 22.9 ± 2.3 yrs, height: 1.75 ± 0.05 m, and body mass: 75.7 ± 10.3 kg) performed a 30 s Wingate test. Anthropometric variables, body mass (BM), fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), fat mass (FM), and percentage fat mass (%FM) were measured through electric bioimpedance. Results: Absolute mean values for PP and MP were 926 ± 154 and 665 ± 110 W, respectively, whereas relative values to BM were 12.2 ± 1.3 and 8.8 ± 0.9 W.kg^-1, respectively. The mean FI value was 30.0 ± 4.7%. A significant and positive correlation was observed between PP and MP with all anthropometric variables (MM, FFM, %FM, FM). FFM was the best predictor of both PP (R² = 0.69, p = .001) and MP (R² = 0.67, p = 0.001) in the Wingate test. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that FFM was the main anthropometric variable associated with anaerobic performance in BJJ athletes. Improving FFM may be a key strategy for enhancing anaerobic performance in this population.

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Author Biographies

Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva, Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro

Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva (Brazil), PhD in Sports Science and postdoctoral researcher at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Brazil. He holds a black belt 4th degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His main research interests include combat sports physiology, neuromuscular responses, and training methodologies, with an emphasis on performance assessment in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. He has investigated parameters such as vertical jump, bench press throw, and lactate kinetics under simulated combat conditions. His work contributes to the advancement of evidence-based practices in strength and conditioning for martial arts. E-mail: brunobjjbh@gmail.com

Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida , University of Itauna, Minas Gerais

Pedro Augusto Santos Almeida (Brazil), Master in Sport Science from Federal University of Minas Gerais. Serving as lecturer in Physical Education at University of Itaúna. His research interests lie in sport science pedagogy and applied physiological assessment. E-mail: pedroalmeida.ef@gmail.com

Mario Antônio de Moura Simim, Physical Education and Parasports Laboratory, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceara

Mário Antônio de Moura Simim (Brazil) holds a PhD in Sports Science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in collaboration with the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro. He is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), in Fortaleza, Brazil. He coordinates the Physical Education and Parasports Laboratory (ParEFLab/UFC) and serves as the head coach of the Brazilian Amputee Football Team. His research focuses on performance analysis in parasports, exercise physiology in populations with disabilities, and the application of sports science to adapted physical activities. E-mail: mario.simim@ufc.br

Leonardo Vidal Andreato, Graduate Program of Health Promotion of Cesumar University

Leonardo Vidal Andreato (Brazil). PhD in Human Movement Sciences (UDESC). Researcher at the Cesumar University, Maringá, Brazil. Member of the Editorial Board of the PLOS One. His main areas of research are: health promotion, high-intensity interval training, obesity and combat sports. He has published numerous articles in international academic journals. Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. E-mail: vidal.leo@hotmail.com

Gustavo R. da Mota, Exercise Science, Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro

Gustavo R. da Mota (Brazil). Associate Professor at UFTM (Uberaba, MG, Brazil), specializing in ergogenic aids for performance, recovery, and injury prevention. Former Fitness Coach for Brazilian Soccer. Integrating coaching experience with sports science research. E-mail: grmotta@gmail.com

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