Validity and reliability of a specific anaerobic test for mixed martial arts

Objectives: The present study aimed to verify the reproducibility and validity of a specific assessment for Mixed Martial Arts athletes. Equipment and methods: Twelve male Mixed Martial Arts athletes, participated in this study. They underwent a test and re-test for an anaerobic specific assessment for Mixed Martial Arts athletes, a graded incremental test, ten submaximal efforts, and a supramaximal effort to determine the Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit. Also, they performed the Wingate test for upper limbs and for lower limbs to assess the anaerobic power. Results: The Mixed Martial Arts test showed reliability; the total of strikes, and strikes in bouts 1, 2 and 3, showed values of ICC between 0.50–0.70; coefficient of variation between 3.1–4.3%. A strong correlation was found among the number of total strikes and the Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit (test r = 0.87; re-test r = 0.96), evidencing the importance of anaerobic capacity during the test. Besides, was found a moderate correlation between the total of strikes and aerobic power (test r = 0.67; re-rest r = 0.60), showing the high aerobic contribution during the trial. We concluded that the specific test for Mixed Martial Arts is reliable and valid for assessing anaerobic capacity.