This practitioner essay will discuss the evidence base for an Australian trauma-informed kickboxing program, The Fight Back Project. We share key differences and adjustments while delivering this program in the Salvadoran context. We consider practitioner assumptions and limitations when transferring trauma-informed practice principles from the Global North to the Central American setting, and the criticality of gender-responsive adaptations. Drawing from existing research on the benefits of trauma-informed martial arts as a form of physical exercise, we describe the collaborative development and implementation of a trauma-informed kickboxing program alongside a local, community-led organization.

This pilot study investigates the effectiveness of a school judo program as an alternative intervention model for bullying prevention. Conducted with 61 schoolchildren aged 10 to 13, the study employed psychological tests and a structured judo curriculum to assess changes in anxiety levels, bullying roles, and psychological traits. Results revealed a significant reduction in situational anxiety and a trend towards decreased personal anxiety among participants. Additionally, a significant decrease in direct and indirect victimization was observed, although no substantial changes were noted in bullying behaviors themselves. Improvements in self-assessment levels of trust, self-awareness, emotion regulation, confidence, and communication skills were also reported. These findings suggest that integrating judo into school programs may enhance psychological resilience and contribute to a safer school environment. However, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and additional strategies for addressing bullying behaviors directly.

Technique-specific high-intensity interval training (HIITTS) has been proven to be an effective method to enhance the sport-specific bio-motor abilities of taekwondo athletes. However, studies regarding its effects on comprehensive measures of cardiorespiratory fitness are limited. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity regarding the extent of individual adaptations to this method compared to HIIT in the form of repeated sprints (HIITRS). This study compared the individual adaptations to HIITRS and HIITTS on cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power in trained taekwondo athletes (age = 19.8 ± 1.3 years; body mass = 75.4 ± 9.1 kg; height = 1.73 ± 0.0 .m). All participants completed three sessions per week of a 60-minute regular taekwondo training. Following the 60-minute training, participants completed 3 sets of 10 × 4 s all-out HIITRS or same sets of repeated kicks with both legs (HIITTS) over a 6-week training period. In both groups, rest intervals were set at 15 seconds between efforts and one minute between sets. Before and after the training period, participants underwent a series of lab- and field-based tests to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness and bio-motor abilities. Both interventions resulted in significant improvements in maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), O2 pulse (V̇O2/HR), first ventilatory threshold (VT1), second ventilatory threshold (VT2), cardiac output (Q̇max), stroke volume (SV), peak power output (PPO), average power output (APO), squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ). However, linear speed (20-m speed time) and taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT) only responded to HIITRS. HIITRS resulted in greater changes in V̇O2max, V̇O2/HR, VT2, and Q̇max, and higher percentage of responders in measured parameters than HIITTS. In addition, HIITRS elicited lower inter-individual variability (CV) in percent changes from pre- to post-training in all measured variables. These results suggest that incorporating 3 sessions per week of HIITRS into regular taekwondo training results in significantly greater and more homogenized adaptations in cardiorespiratory fitness and bio-motor abilities than HIITTS among trained taekwondo athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of compression contrast therapy (CT) and dry needling therapy (DN) on muscle tension (MT), muscle strength (Fmax), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and perfusion (PU) following fatigue of forearm muscles (e.g., flexor carpi radialis) in combat sports athletes. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was employed. Participants first underwent muscle fatigue induction, which involved sustaining an isometric handgrip at 60% of their maximum voluntary contraction in 5-second cycles. This was followed by exposure to one of the regenerative therapies. Forty-five participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CT/DN (n = 15), CT/ShDN (n = 15), and ShCT/DN (n = 15). The sham condition (Sh) involved a simulated version of the technique. Measurements were taken at four time points: (i) at rest; (ii) immediately after exercise that led to a state of fatigue; (iii) 5 minutes after therapy (PostTh5min); and (iv) 24 hours after therapy (PostTh24h). Each participant was exposed to one experimental condition and one control condition, thereby undergoing evaluation in two sessions. Significant differences between groups were found in MT during the PostTh5min (p = 0.005), as well as in PU during the PostTh5min (p < 0.001) and PU during the PostTh24h (p < 0.001). All groups showed significant improvements at 5 minutes post-therapy compared to immediately post-muscle fatigue. As conclusions, CT/DN seems to be significantly better for enhancing MT and PU after 5 minutes of muscle fatigue induction. Using either CT, DN, or both combined is recommended to enhance the recovery of muscle functionality and properties, favoring recovery and potentially speeding up performance enhancement.

UNASSIGNED: Concussion and the damage resulting from this event related to brain function have been widely studied; however, little is known about subconcussive impacts, especially in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, which is a combat and full contact sport in which most blows are aimed at the head.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to evaluate the biomarker levels associated with subconcussive hits to the head in MMA fighters.
UNASSIGNED: This is an exploratory study in which 30 male subjects (10 MMA fighters, 10 healthy individuals who practice muscle training, and 10 healthy sedentary individuals) aged between 18 and 32 years (25.4 ± 3.8) were evaluated. These individuals underwent blood collection to assess their Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels before, immediately after and 72 hours after the sparring session (for the fighters) and were compared between groups.
UNASSIGNED: Significant differences were found at baseline between active and healthy fighters in BDNF levels (p = 0.03). A significant reduction of BDNF levels were also observed between the post-immediate and 72h after the sparring session (p = 0.03). No differences were observed in the number or severity of symptoms reported by the fighters.
UNASSIGNED: Despite the exploratory approach, the findings of this study may help to understand the influence of repeated subconcussive hits to the head in MMA fighters, as well as to propose preventive interventions which can minimize the effects of the impact of hits, preserving fighters\' neuronal integrity and function.

This systematic review aims to assess the genetic determinants influencing combat sports performance and address potential gaps in previous reviews. Twenty-four selected studies were analysed, investigating genetic influences on physiological performance, psychological traits, psychophysiological factors like pain perception, and injury susceptibility in combat sport athletes. The systematic literature search, using keywords, encompassed PubMed, Scopus, SportDiscus, Medline, and Google Scholar. The Covidence systematic review management software facilitated the screening process and the creation of the PRISMA flow diagram. The quality assessment complied with the PRISMA guidelines, featuring a custom 10-point scale and the STREGA criteria for more reliable study inclusion. Collectively, the 24 studies incorporated 18,989 participants, of which 3323 were combat athletes of majority European ancestry (71.7%) from various combat sports disciplines. Twenty-five unique genetic variants were significantly associated with combat sports performance across diverse domains. These included physiological performance (nine genetic variants), psychological traits (ten genetic variants), psychophysiological factors (one genetic variant), and injury susceptibility (four genetic variants). In conclusion, this systematic review lays the foundation for a more comprehensive exploration of the association between genetics and athletic performance in the demanding arena of combat sports, offering valuable insights for talent identification, training optimisation, and injury prevention.

Combined action observation and motor imagery (AOMI) training improves motor skill performance, but limited research has investigated possible moderating factors for this intervention. This study examined the influence of action observation (AO) perspective on the effectiveness of AOMI training for novices learning a \'shadow\' Osoto Gari judo throw. Thirty novice participants were randomly assigned to AOMI training that displayed egocentric footage (AOMIEGO) or allocentric footage (AOMIALLO) of the Osoto Gari, or Control training. A motor learning design incorporating pre-test (Day 1), acquisition (Days 2-6), post-test (Day 7), and retention-test (Day 14) was adopted. Motor skill performance, self-efficacy, and mental representation structures were recorded as measures of learning. There were mixed effects for motor skill performance across the three training conditions utilized in this study, with AOMIALLO training significantly reducing error scores for final right hip flexion angle and peak right ankle velocity compared to AOMIEGO training. Self-efficacy increased for all training conditions over time. Both AOMIEGO and AOMIALLO training led to improved functional changes in mental representation structures over time compared to Control training. The findings suggest AOMI training led to improved perceptual-cognitive scaffolding, irrespective of AO perspective, and offer some support for the use of AOMIALLO training to facilitate novice learning of complex, serial motor skills in sport.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase cortical excitability of a targeted brain area. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding anodal-tDCS (a-tDCS) to neuromuscular training (NMT) on the dynamic knee valgus (DKV) and feedforward activity (FFA) of knee muscles. Thirty-four Taekwondo athletes with DKV, were randomly assigned to either NMT + a-tDCS (N = 17) or NMT + sham tDCS (N = 17). DKV and the knee muscles\' FFA at the moment of single and double-leg landing and lateral hopping tasks were evaluated before and after the interventions. DKV and FFA of the knee muscles was improved in all tasks (P < 0.05), however, between-group differences were not significant (P > 0.05). The FFA of the semitendinosus, vastus medialis, gluteus medius, and gastrocnemius muscles in the single-leg landing (P < 0.05), the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles in the double-leg landing (P < 0.05), and the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius muscles in the lateral hopping (P < 0.05) tasks were significantly different between the groups. A-tDCS achieved significantly larger improvements in the feedforward activity of lower extremity muscles compared with sham-tDCS. However, between-group comparisons did not show a significant difference in DKV.

Strength-trained athletes has less trainability in muscle size and function, because of their adaptation to long-term advanced training. This study examined whether resistance training (RT) leading to repetition failure can be effective modality to overcome this subject. Twenty-three male judo athletes completed a 6-week unilateral dumbbell curl training with two sessions per week, being added to in-season training of judo. The participants were assigned to one of three different training programs: ballistic light-load (30% of one repetition maximum (1RM)) RT to repetition failure (RFLB) (n = 6), traditional heavy-load (80% of 1RM) RT to repetition failure (RFHT) (n = 7), and ballistic light-load (30% of 1RM) RT to non-repetition failure (NRFLB) (n = 10). Before and after the intervention period, the muscle thickness (MT) and the maximal voluntary isometric force (MVC) and rate of force development (RFDmax) of elbow flexors were determined. In addition, theoretical maximum force (F0), velocity (V0), power (Pmax), and slope were calculated from force-velocity relation during explosive elbow flexion against six different loads. For statistical analysis, p < 0.05 was considered significant. The MT and MVC had significant effect of time with greater magnitude of the gains in RFHT and NRFLB compared to RFLB. On the other hand, all parameters derived from force-velocity relation and RFDmax did not show significant effects of time. The present study indicates that ballistic light-load and traditional heavy-load resistance training programs, leading to non-repetition failure and repetition failure, respectively, can be modalities for improving muscle size and isometric strength in judo athletes, but these do not improve power generation capacity.

UNASSIGNED: Aggression in sports is often perceived as a necessary trait for success, especially in martial arts. Aggression can be assessed both explicitly and implicitly, taking into account the dual processing model. The purpose of the research was to examine explicit and indirect, latency-based measure of aggression in competitive athletes practicing striking combat sports, according to gender and sports performance. At the same time, we verified whether aggression (implicit/unconscious and explicit) predicts sports performance in martial artists.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 85 athletes practicing striking combat sports took part in the research. For implicit, latency-based measure of aggression, an Implicit Associations Test (IAT) was used, while explicit aggression was assessed with the Romanian adaptation of the Makarowski\'s Aggression Questionnaire for martial arts athletes.
UNASSIGNED: Data analysis revealed (using multivariate analysis of variance) that athletes from striking combat sports having international sports performances registered significantly higher D-scores (IAT, p = 0.014) and lower values for Go-ahead factor (p = 0.006), compared to athletes without outstanding results. Goodman and Kruskal tau association test was used to check the existing associations between athletes\' gender and martial arts athletes\' level of explicit and implicit aggression. In addition, binomial logistic regression procedures were performed, predicting martial artists\' likelihood to obtain higher sports results, based on explicit and indirect aggression.
UNASSIGNED: A stronger association between Aggression and Others (at implicit/unconscious level) and a moderate level (generally) for Go-ahead factor of explicit aggression are associated with an increased likelihood of sports performances in athletes. In addition, male martial arts athletes are more persistent despite obstacles, remaining more on the offensive (no gender-related association were found in terms of indirect/unconscious aggression, and for Foul Play and Assertiveness factors of explicit aggression). The study underlines the importance of addressing athletes\' subconscious level to promote more constructive behaviors in competitions.