Background: This study examines the long-term cognitive consequences of repetitive head impact on executive functions in mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters over two years. Methods: Neuropsychological tests assessed executive functions in two groups: competitive (CG; n = 26) and recreational groups (RG; n = 26). Results: A significant interaction between time and group was observed. The CG experienced greater declines in Mental Processing Speed (MPS) after 1 year [4.6 s (3.1; 6.1); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [14.6 s (5.1; 24.0); p = 0.003]. Inhibitory control (IC) also declined after 1 year [4.7 a.u. (3.0; 6.2); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [10.0 a.u. (11.6; 11.4); p ≤ 0.001]. Cognitive flexibility (CF) showed a pronounced reduction after 1 year [4.8 a.u. (3.0; 6.7); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [7.5 a.u. (5.9; 9.1); p ≤ 0.001]. Automatic (AP) and controlled processes (CP), as well as direct (DM) and indirect memory (IM), also showed significant impairments in CG. Conclusions: These findings highlight the detrimental effects of MMA competitions on cognitive function, emphasizing the need for monitoring and interventions to preserve fighters’ health and performance.

Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar las diferencias relacionadas con la edad en el comportamiento técnico-táctico en atletas femeninas de alto nivel de Jiu-Jitsu Brasileño (BJJ), comparando las categorías adultas y máster. Métodos: Se analizaron 250 combates femeninos adultos (≥18 años) y 172 combates femeninos máster (≥30 años) de campeonatos internacionales. Las fases de tiempo-movimiento y las acciones técnicas fueron codificadas utilizando procedimientos validados de análisis de video. Las estadísticas descriptivas se presentaron como media (±DE), y las comparaciones entre grupos se realizaron mediante la prueba U de Mann-Whitney (p ≤ .05). Resultados: Las atletas adultas demostraron un mayor tiempo total de combate (363.0 ± 123.5 s) en comparación con las másteres (323.0 ± 83.0 s; p ≤ .001). Las adultas también ejecutaron una mayor frecuencia de técnicas (17.0 ± 6.0) frente al máster (13.0 ± 5.0; p ≤ .001). Las fases específicas del combate con mayor frecuencia entre las adultas incluyeron la guardia (4.0 ± 2.5 vs. 3.0 ± 1.8; p = .005), control lateral (3.0 ± 1.6 vs. 2.0 ± 1.4; p = .048), ataque (4.0 ± 2.3 vs. 3.0 ± 2.1; p = .028), y movimiento de baja intensidad (4.0 ± 2.0 vs. 2.0 ± 1.6; p ≤ .001). A pesar de tener combates más cortos, las atletas máster mostraron una aplicación lateral equilibrada (derecha: 51.7%, izquierda: 48.3%) en comparación con las adultas (derecha: 61.1%, izquierda: 38.4%). Conclusión: Las atletas adultas de BJJ mostraron un mayor volumen técnico y una mayor duración de los combates en comparación con el máster. Estos hallazgos demuestran la influencia de la edad en la intensidad y estructura del rendimiento en BJJ, con implicaciones para enfoques de entrenamiento adaptados según el grupo etario.

Background: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been employed in athletes from various sports to enhance performance; however, no data have focused on its effects in mixed martial arts (MMA). This study investigated the effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), an alternative modality of TMS, on motor performance and plasma oxidative-stress biomarkers of ten male mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with ten professional MMA athletes (aged 18–35 years). Participants were assigned to the experimental (iTBS) or placebo groups. Baseline and post-intervention performance were assessed using the Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (MFSKT) and a Progressive Speed Kick Test (PSKT). Plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress, including thiols, total antioxidant capacity, 8-isoprostane, and carbonylated proteins, were measured before and after the performance tests in both groups. The iTBS was applied to the left primary motor cortex at an 80 motor threshold for the experimental group and at sub-threshold levels for the placebo group. A two-way ANOVA for paired groups, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests, were used to analyze the repeated measures, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed significant improvements on the MFSKT [25.4 (±1.2) kicks vs. 20.8 (±1.4) kicks] and the PSKT [27.6 (±1.5) vs. 22.4 (±1.7) kicks] in the iTBS group vs. placebo, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of the serum redox balance biomarkers pre- and post-test, suggesting a limited impact on redox homeostasis despite performance enhancement. The placebo group showed no notable changes in either test or biomarker levels. Conclusions: These results highlight the improved physical performance in MMA athletes without altering redox biomarkers in the blood—emphasizing its applicability for neuromodulation in sports.