#49: Training for Mixed-Martial Arts with PowerDot

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a physiologically demanding sport, challenging all of the body’s energy systems. PowerDot Smart Neuromusuclar Electrical Stimulation (NMES) strengthens and conditions a fighter’s body to withstand the physical demands of the sport and improve performance in the ring.

PowerDot is the best muscle stimulator and was designed with the extreme combat fighter in mind. By enhancing muscular power, endurance, strength, and recovery, electric muscle stimulation may improve striking, grappling, take-downs and other physical components required in MMA. 

PowerDot vs the competition ends in a first round knockout as innovative Smart muscle electrical stimulation and wireless bluetooth technology meets the demands of extreme combat athletes. 

The Origins of MMA

The origins of MMA can be traced back to the times of ancient Greece where it entered the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC. Back then, the sport was called “Pankration”, which consisted of a combination of wrestling and boxing. Pankratiasts (athletes who competed in the sport of Pankration) battled one another until submission or knockout. 

However, in the Greek era, 5-minute rounds followed by 1-minute breaks were not really a thing. There were no rounds nor any breaks and the only rules were no biting or eye gouging. 

The Greeks were not the only ones passionate about a sport where two athletes combatted one another mono e mono. The Romans would later adopt Pankration and in China, Lei tai emerged as popular sport where, similarly, athletes would battle one another on a stage. We also hear of similar sports being spoken about having taken place in ancient Egypt, India, and Japan.

Now, MMA athletes are a blend, or mix, of aerobic and anaerobic athletes. Aerobic in nature, in that they need to have high stamina in order to compete in several rounds lasting several minutes. Anaerobic, in that there are times throughout a match in which they must be powerful to strike and move quickly. 

This requires a properly designed training program, utilizing PowerDot NMES technology, aimed at improving these energy systems to enhance MMA fighter performance. 

Energy Systems In MMA 

These are the following energy systems a fighter will utilize in MMA: ATP-PCr (anaerobic), Fast Glycolysis (anaerobic), and Slow Glycolysis (aerobic). Anaerobic energy systems do not require oxygen to create energy while aerobic energy systems will utilize oxygen to produce energy. Thus, anaerobic energy production is faster, though does not last as long. Whereas aerobic energy production is not as fast, but lasts longer.

A 5-minute MMA round takes stamina and endurance making it aerobic in nature. Though, within that round, several high-intensity anaerobic bouts take place during a quick strike or take down. Let’s further explore how an MMA fighter utilizes both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems during competition.  

Energy system #1

The ATP-PCr, or phosphocreatine system, is the fastest energy generating system and is anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen to create energy. The energy being referred to is adenosine triphosphate (ATP). 

Remember your biology teacher talking about this molecule in class? If not, no worries. ATP is the energy currency of life and supplies all the energy to our cells. It is essential for muscular contractile performance.

Now, let’s get back to the ATP-PCr system. The process of making ATP using this energy systems requires a phosphocreatine molecule and ADP (adenosine diphosphate -> remember, we need adenosine triphosphate). Phosphocreatine is broken down into phosphate and creatine molecules. The phosphate now binds with ADP and creates ATP. This energy system can provide ATP for up to approximately 15 seconds. 

So, what part of an MMA match would use this energy system? Any time we see a quick strike, running roundhouse kick off the octagon, or body slam, this quick burst of energy production comes from the ATP-PCr system. 

Energy systems #2 and #3

The glycolytic system is the next fastest energy system at creating ATP and we can break this up into fast and slow glycolysis. In essence, this energy system breaks down the carbohydrates we eat to make ATP. 

Fast glycolysis is anaerobic and lasts approximately 1-2 minutes. When we see MMA athletes vigorously holding and fighting for a position these athletes are using this energy system. The only downside of strenuously holding and fighting for a dominant position is the buildup of lactate (lactic acid) produced by this energy system in which athlete’s will begin to feel a burning sensation in their muscles as fatigue sets in.

Think about it, have you ever done a wall sit and felt a burning in your legs? That’s the fast anaerobic glycolytic energy system at work. When it burns too bad we decide to stop. An MMA fighter however, does not get to stop, this is where training with PowerDot is essential… but more on that later. 

Slow glycolysis is aerobic, meaning oxygen is used to create ATP. This energy system can sustain ATP production for upwards over an hour. This is the energy system that contributes to the MMA athlete’s endurance over several rounds. The better this energy system functions, the higher the intensity the athlete can sustain without getting tired too quickly.

MMA fighters require advanced and highly trained anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. So, where does PowerDot come into play? 

MMA Training With PowerDot

When performing a needs analysis of an MMA fighter, examining their physical and physiological make-up, a competitive fighter requires high levels of muscular strength and power as well as a high endurance capacity with the ability to be resistant to fatigue. By specifically targeting and training these energy systems through power, strength, and endurance training, athlete’s can improve in ring performance. 

Adding PowerDot Smart NMES technology can be used during training to amplify physiological adaptations… meaning that, athletes who do not utilize PowerDot in their training are placing themselves at a disadvantage. 

By adding PowerDot to an MMA athlete’s strength training, fighters can improve their strength more so than if they train without it! A greater amount of force production can be the difference between a deflected strike and a knockout. 

But how does strength training also influence energy systems? Strength training increases time to exhaustion (meaning an athlete would not get as tired as fast) and has also been shown to increase lactate threshold. This means that a fighter now has more efficient energy systems and can fight at a higher intensity without feeling as tired or out of breath. 

But fighters train multiple times per day? That makes PowerDot even more essential as it can also be used in between training sessions. Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance muscle fatigue recovery thus speeding up the recovery process in between training sessions. Just select one of the preset recovery options and let the electrical muscle stimulation do the rest. Go ahead and add the PowerDot 2.0 to your shopping cart and reap the benefits of training with PowerDot.