Developing a training strategy for teenage athletes in mixed martial arts for high-level competitions

Abstract

With the increasing demands aced by teenage athletes in mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions, there is a pressing need for scientists to develop innovative training. This study aims to formulate a strategy for training teenage athletes to excel in high-level MMA competitions, leveraging the physiological characteristics of neuromuscular system adaptation to stress-inducing stimuli. Additionally, the practical efficacy of this strategy is be assessed.Materials and methods: The research encompassed 24 male athletes, representing various age and weight categories of the Ukrainian national youth team in MMA: U14 (G02–G05), U16 (F01–F04) and U18 (E03–E06). At first, the results of athletes’ performance at the 2022 MMA World Championships were analyzed. The training procedures for these competitions were analyzed. In the second stage, the strategy for sportsmen's preparation for the World MMA Championship 2023 was developed. It employed physiological features of the neuromuscular system adaptation to stressful stimuli. An innovative system of training management was implemented.