(46) THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE JIU JITSU ANAEROBIC PERFORMNCE TEST AND PHYSIOLOGICAL MARKERS IN TRAINED JIU JITSU PRACTITIONERS

Purpose: The Jui Jitsu Anaerobic Performance Test (JJAPT) was designed to replicate a Jiu Jitsu Competition. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu relies on both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. The aerobic system allows the athlete to sustain higher levels of intensity throughout the five-to-ten-minute bout times set by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and assists with recovery between bouts. The anaerobic systems support the short, fast, bursts of movement the athlete uses to perform take downs and sweeps. Previous studies have demonstrated a relationship between the JJAPT and anaerobic performance. The relationship between the JJAPT and aerobic performance has yet to be quantitatively defined. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the Jiu Jitsu Anaerobic Performance Test (JJAPT) and the physiological performance markers of maximum oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold (VT). Methods: Twenty-five Brazilian Jiu Jitsu subjects (male = 17, female = 8) with a minimum of one year of experience took part in this research study. Two test sessions were completed by each subject with a minimum of 48 hours between sessions. During one test session, descriptive statistics were collected on each subject. Subjects then completed a self-guided warm-up on the treadmill, followed immediately by the Bruce graded exercise protocol. To determine ventilatory threshold (VT), VO_2peak and ventilation (VE) were plotted by computer onto a line chart. Ventilatory threshold was confirmed by two researchers and VT percentage was calculated. During a second test session, the subject went through a JJAPT familiarization warm-up and then completed the JJAPT. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between the JJAPT and VO_2peak and between the JJAPT and ventilatory threshold. Results: There was a moderate positive correlation between the VO_2peak and the JJAPT overall (r = 0.40, p = 0.025), for the men (r = 0.46, p = 0.031), and for higher belted athletes (r = 0.54, p = 0.029). No significant correlation was found between the JJAPT and VT (r = 0.05, p = 0.413). Conclusions: Research has shown that Jiu Jitsu has dispersed lower-intensity aerobic periods with more reliance on the anaerobic system for the intermittent but repeated explosive movements during offense, defense, and counterattacks. Therefore, it is logical that a moderate correlation was found between VO_2peak and the JJAPT. Practical Applications: Jiu Jitsu has been shown to have a strong anaerobic component with a moderate aerobic base. Previous research has established the anaerobic component and the reliability of the JJAPT. Additionally, the JJAPT has been shown to provide a reliable and valid measure of Jiu Jitsu competition performance. In this study, by testing the JJAPT against aerobic measures, the moderate aerobic component of the JJAPT was found to be consistent with the aerobic energy system requirements for Jiu Jitsu. When combining previous findings with the results of this study, the JJAPT can be used to replicate both the aerobic and anaerobic components of Jiu Jitsu performance and therefore can be used to replicate Jiu Jitsu performance and monitor athlete's improvements. It is suggested that the JJAPT could be used to provide a thorough view of the athlete’s BJJ fitness performance. Acknowledgements: None