The correlation between physical training and the acquisition of technical–tactical procedures in mixed martial arts (MMA)

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Background and Study Aim. This study examined the relationship between physical training and the development of technical–tactical skills in athletes specializing in advanced mixed martial arts (MMA) performance. Key performance elements (i.e., technique, tactics, striking power, sport-specific speed, endurance, and psychological factors require holistic training to be effectively integrated and applied during competition. Understanding the interaction of these components is essential for optimizing performance and achieving the highest competitive outcomes in MMA. Materials and Methods: To achieve the research objectives, the following scientific methods were employed: theoretical analysis and generalization of specialized literature data; observation and control in sports training; pedagogical observation; tabular method; pedagogical experiment; and statistical-mathematical methods for processing and interpreting recorded data Results: Based on the study of scientific literature, it was established that implementing technical actions in the training of performance athletes has a decisive influence. Ensuring the quality of the instructional-educational process at the advanced training stage and modernizing it is a major concern, influenced by the evaluation system during sports matches, which is refined throughout the instructional-educational process, as well as by the physical preparation of future high-performance athletes. To understand the interaction level of results obtained from final athlete testing, 1,056 correlation coefficients of motor, psychomotor, and technical-tactical parameters were analysed, aiding in the selection and determination of key values in motor capacity development. Following the application of technical-tactical actions based on techniques from boxing, sambo, judo, kickboxing, taekwondo, freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, grappling, and pankration during the experimental phase, the experimental group achieved significant improvements (P<0.01 and P<0.05) in technical-tactical performance during sports matches. Conclusions. The study demonstrated that motor skills specific to mixed martial arts, selected as indicators of technical-tactical capacity development, were relevant in competitive activities. This underscores the importance of integrating physical and technical-tactical training to enhance athletic performance in mixed martial arts.