Stretching & Flexibility for MMA

The MMA Training Bible

How to maximize your flexibility with minimal stretching

Dr. Jason Gillis MMA is a sport that demands a high degree of flexibility. Flexible fighters can perform a wider range of techniques, both offensive and defensive, than less flexible fighters. These fighters will have a clear advantage on fight day. We all know this, but there is only so much training time available during the week, and although flexibility is important, it often takes a back seat to other types of training. We here at The MMA Training Bible feel that flexibility is important, but we also appreciate that fighters and coaches have time constraints, so weve set our sights on identifying the mini mum amount of stretching that is required to improve flexibility. Well do this by using the latest scientific research. We believe that understanding a little bit of Science is a good thing. It empowers fighters and coaches and helps them see through bullshit. For this reason, well talk about the Science of flexibility in the first half of the article, and then well give you a practical example in the second half, so stick with us and all will be revealed. The Science of Flexibility Flexibility is defined as the ability to move a joint, like your shoulder or knee, through its complete range of motion (ROM). Flexibility is influenced by the stiffness of the muscles surrounding the joint and a few other factors like the tightness of ligaments (attach bone to bone) and tendons (attach muscle to bone) surrounding the joint, it may even be influenced by your body temperature (2). Lots of studies have shown that stretching can improve flexibility; but strangely, Scientists dont really know why. It could be due to a decrease in the stiffness of muscles (perceived or actual), an increase in muscle length, or some combination of each (2). On the positive side, long-term stretching programs that improve flexibility have also been shown to lessen muscle damage and promote recovery from exercise (3) and improving your flexibility will probably improve your athletic performance because it enhances your ability to stretch or reach in sport (4). The MMA Training Bible performed a detailed review of the newest and most relevant scientific literature with the hopes of identifying the minimal amount of stretching effort required to maximise your flexibility. Using this evidence-based approach, we identified a number of studies showing that a long-term stretching program undertaken separately from regular training can increase flexibility (5-9). After carefully analysing Regardless of the cause, flexibility can be improved with long-term stretching, but there are both positive and negative consequences of stretching. On the negative side, stretching, when undertaken immediately before exercise, has the effect of impairing performance. Specifically, the immediate changes in muscle compliance that occur with stretching can affect the length-tension relationship of muscles (4). Translated into English, this means that stretching before exercise, especially static stretching (when you hold a stretch), may impair your strength and power output. Because of this, static stretching should not be performed with any intensity prior to strength, high speed, explosive or reactive activities (4). Dynamic stretching (like swinging your arm) is perhaps more appropriate prior to these types of exercise.

Stretching & Flexibility for MMA

each of the studies, we identified the minimal amount of effort that is required to see a significant improvement in joint range of motion (i.e. flexibility at a joint).

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As a side note, before you start any new training plan, you should always take some baseline measures before you start and every 6 to 12 weeks thereafter. If you dont, how else will you know if the program is actually working? You can download a copy of the tests that I did with this fighter here, or come up with your own. After you take baseline measures, youre ready to start the stretching program. You should aim to complete a minimum of 3 sessions per week. Ideally these sessions should not be completed before one of your other training sessions. Also, make sure youre warmed up before you start stretching. Here is a sample warm-up, but feel free to adapt it to suit your needs. Warm-up prior to beginning the stretching session Dress warm to stay warm after the warm-up, but your movement should not be restricted by your clothing. Undertake light whole-body exercise until you begin sweating (i.e. running/jog, cross-trainer, or rowing machine). Perform the following dynamic stretches, but do not approach full range of motion. o 30 seconds of arm-swings front to back and side to the side (change direction) o 30 seconds of hip circles, change direction half way. o 30 seconds of leg-swings front to back and to the side.

Our work indicates that a static stretching program undertaken for a minimum of 4 weeks (6-8) can result in significant gains in flexibility (from 5 to 16 degrees of joint range of motion [7,8)]), so long as it is undertaken on at least 3 to 5 days per week (57,9), with each static stretch being held to a maximal tolerable limit for 30 seconds (5-7), over 1 to 3 sets (5, 7-9), with 1 to 4 stretching exercises performed for each muscle group (7). Example stretching program Ok, its time to apply everything weve learned up to now. I want to give you an example of a program that I designed for a fighter a few years back. The main of this program was to improve lower body joint range of motion, particularly around the hips, to enable the fighter to perform a wider range of techniques, particularly the high kick.

The stretching program Perform the following stretches, in this order. Hold each stretch to a maximal tolerable point, but you should not experience pain, and be sure to follow the instructions in the image.

Stretching & Flexibility for MMA

The MMA Training Bible

Stretching & Flexibility for MMA

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

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Chen et al. (2011) Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(3), 491-500. Behm & Chaouachi (2011). European Journal of Applied Physiology, 11, 2633-2651. Bandy, Irion & Briggler (1997) Physical Therapy, 77(10), 1090-1096. Higgs & Winter (2009) The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(5), 1442-1447. Marshall, Cashman & Cheema (2011) Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 14, 535-540. Nakamura et al (2011) European Journal of Applied Physiology, DOI 10.1007/s00421-0112250-3. Roberts & Wilson (1999) British Journal of Sports Medicine, 33, 259-263.

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Ok, thats it. I hope you got some use out of this post. Id love to provide you with stretching programs for every joint, but theres not enough time in the day. Its up to you to figure out what muscle groups that you need to stretch, and the exercises, Ive provided you with the rest; the program details. Id love to hear your feedback on this post, so please leave a comment, and if youve found the article useful, share it with your friends and training partners. Best, Dr. Jason Gillis References 1. Thompson, Gordon & Pescatello (2010) In: Edited by Thompson, Gordon, Pescatello, th (8 ed.) (p.60 to 104). Baltimore, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Weppler, Magnusson (2010) Physical Therapy, 90(3), 438-449.

With advanced scientific training in human applied physiology and training methodology, and a background in mixed martial arts, Dr Jason Gillis understands the demands of MMA and has the background to help you improve your performance in the cage. Check out his full bio and find other articles here http://mmatrainingbible.com/bio/.

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