Neuromuscular Fatigue During Brazilian Jiujitsu Matches: Analysis of Upper and Lower Limbs.

Fagundes, Athos da Silva; Marinho, Alisson Henrique; Lopes Freitas, Iron; Lopes Filho, Brandel José Pacheco; Rodacki, Cintia; Bertuzzi, Romulo; Lima-Silva, Adriano Eduardo; Cristina-Souza, Gislaine

Purpose: To determine the effects of repeated Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) matches on neuromuscular fatigue in forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles. Methods: Twelve BJJ athletes (8 men and 4 women) performed a simulated BJJ tournament composed of four 8-minute matches interspersed by 16-minute intervals. Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed via prematch to postmatch(es) reductions in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), voluntary activation, and potentiated twitch force (Ptwpot) in the forearm-flexor and knee-extensor muscles. Results: The MVIC of the knee extensors and forearm flexors reduced from prematch 1 to postmatch 2 and remained suppressed until postmatch 4 (P pot of knee extensors decreased from prematch 1 to postmatch 1 (P pot of the forearm flexors reduced after every match (P pot was lower in knee extensors than in forearm flexors (P =.044). Conclusions: Repeated BJJ matches induced neuromuscular fatigue, mainly due to impairments in muscle contractile function (ie, peripheral fatigue). The time between BJJ matches seems to be insufficient to allow complete recovery of neuromuscular function, which may influence performance during subsequent matches.

BRAZIL; KNEE physiology; SKELETAL muscle physiology; MUSCLE fatigue; RESEARCH funding; NEUROPHYSIOLOGY; NEUROMUSCULAR system; MUSCLE strength testing; SPORTS events; MARTIAL arts; ATHLETIC ability; FOREARM; MUSCLE contraction

International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance, 2025, Vol 20, Issue 1, p23

1555-0265

Academic Journal

10.1123/ijspp.2023-0546