Estimated aerobic power, muscular strength and flexibility in elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes

• Published in: Science & sports 2011-12, Vol.26 (6), p.329-337
• Main Authors: Vidal Andreato, L., Franzói de Moraes, S.M., Lopes de Moraes Gomes, T., Del Conti Esteves, J.V., Vidal Andreato, T., Franchini, E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Condition physique; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Haute performance; High performance; Physical evaluation; Physical fitness; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Évaluation physique
• ISSN: 0765-1597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scispo.2010.12.015

This study was designed to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake, muscular strength and flexibility of elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes. The sample consisted of eleven Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes (25.8 ± 3.3 years old) who were medallists at national and/or international competitions. The aerobic power was estimated by a treadmill test, according to the Bruce Protocol. The maximal isometric strength (hand, leg and back) was measured by specific dynamometric tests. We used sit-ups and push-ups to evaluate abdominal and upper limb strength endurance, respectively. We applied the sit-and-reach test to determine hip, back and posterior flexibility of the muscles of the lower limbs. We observed a VO 2max of 49.4 ± 3.6 mL/kg per minute for the treadmill test. We observed measures of 43.7 ± 4.8 kgf for the right maximal isometric handgrip strength, 40.1 ± 3.8 kgf for the left maximal isometric handgrip strength, 185.5 ± 36.0 kgf for the maximal isometric back strength and 154.3 ± 41.9 kgf for the maximal isometric leg strength. In the strength endurance test, the athletes performed 52 ± 7 repetitions in a 1-min sit-up test, and 40 ± 8 repetitions in the push-up test. In the sit-and-reach test, the athletes had an average score of 36 ± 9 cm. The elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes had medium aerobic power and flexibility, excellent abdominal and upper body strength endurance and maximal isometric back strength. However, these athletes did not have high maximal isometric handgrip or leg strength. Cette étude visait à estimer la consommation maximale d’oxygène, la force musculaire et la souplesse chez des athlètes d’élite de Jiu-Jitsu brésiliens. L’échantillon était composé de onze athlètes de Jiu-Jitsu (âge : 25,8 ± 3,3 ans) médaillés dans des compétitions au niveau national et/ou international. La puissance aérobie a été estimée par le test sur tapis roulant selon le protocole de Bruce. La force maximale isométrique (à la main, jambes et dos) a été mesurée par des tests spécifiques au dynamomètre. Sit-ups et push-ups ont été utilisés respectivement afin d’évaluer la force des muscles abdominaux et des membres supérieurs. Souplesse de la hanche, du dos et des muscles des jambes ont été déterminés par le test de flexion du tron ( sit-and-reach test). Le VO 2max sur test sur tapis roulant est de 49,4 ± 3,6 mL/kg par minute. On observe des valeurs de 43,7 ± 4,8 kgf sur la poignée droite et de 40,1 ± 3,8 kgf pour la force à la poignée gauche, 185.5 ± 36,0 de force maxim