Volunteer MMA Athletes Needed For Research December 13, 2015 20:27 1 Comment

Dear …. I am currently a Graduate Student at Humboldt State University (HSU), in Arcata,

California studying Exercise Science/Sports Performance. The purpose of this letter is to request

your assistance with recruitment of MMA Fighters to participate in my project/thesis. My study

is titled “Health & Skill-Related Physical Fitness Components of Mixed Martial Artists”.

Currently, there is limited information regarding the fast growing sport of MMA when,

compared to research conducted on other self-defense/martial arts such as boxing, kickboxing

wrestling, judo, tae kwon do and karate. Thus, the purpose of the study is to investigate health,

fitness, and skill-related components of amateur and professional MMA Fighters which would

provide some basic guidelines to help coaches and athletes determine their level of health and

fitness identify physical weaknesses, develop training goals, and help coaches prescribe exercise

and predict optimal performance.

The goal of my research is to discern and build upon methods to predict optimal MMA

performances, as well as inform, advance, and provide training for coaches and athletes towards

these new findings, passively diluting and ultimately making many of the old traditions

erroneous and obsolete. Testing includes field tests such as 1.5 mile run test on treadmill to

assess cardio respiratory fitness, muscular testing (strength, endurance), flexibility, power,

balance, coordination, reaction time, speed, and agility, and somatotype (body shape &

composition). If Coaches’ or athletes’ feels uncomfortable with any physical test, you can just

take part in somatotype test, which is measurements on your body that takes about 10 minutes

and requires no physical exertion. somatotype values (morphological differences, a category to

which people are assigned according to the extent to which their bodily physique conforms to a

basic type, usually endomorphy, mesomorphy, or ectomorphy) of professional and amateur

MMA Fighters. Triceps, subscapular, supraspinale measurements and the thickness of calf and

skin, humerus bicondylar, femur bicondylar, biceps girth, weight, and height measurements were

used in somatotype calculations. I must inform you that during any kind of physical activity

possess risk of injury such as strains or tears to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints of the

body. Also possibility of abnormal physical responses like dizziness, changes in blood pressure,

irregularities in heartbeat, and in very rare instances heart attack or even death. You may

experience muscle soreness that may occur several hours after physical activity and possibly up

to several days, however to minimize these occurrences a proper trained staff will be monitoring

the physical condition and technique during each exercise session. At any time of the testing

procedures that you feel uncomfortable or want to discontinue, you may do so right away.

I have personally competed in various martial arts since age 8, having focused on MMA for the

past 7 years and competed in multiple amateur bouts. I am and the Cofounder of Lost Boys BJJ

& Muy Thai Gym, focusing on the Strength and Conditioning of MMA athletes and the creator

of website sportsciencengineering.blogspot.com. I had the privilege and honor to intern and later

on work at the Adrenaline Performance Center (APC) in Montreal Quebec under Strength

Coach Jonathan Chaimberg, a renowned figure in the world of fitness and also trainer to many of

the top MMA competitors in the world, such as ex-UFC champions Georges St. Pierre, Rashad

Evans, Shane Carwin, and the current champion Jon Jones. During my practicum, I had the

opportunity to reside in the Tristar Fight Gym Dormitories thereby providing steady access to

work with many of the athletes. I learned technical applications in training various professional

athletes from various sports. My primary focus was in training applications and techniques for

MMA fighters where I humbly submit they taught me as much as I taught them. Consequently,

having experienced this mutual interaction, I have much confidence it will serve to make me a

better student, scientist, and coach—all of which provides invaluable tools, methodologies, and

systems to achieve the study.

If you agree to participate in my study your data can either be collected at HSU or at your gym,

as long as there is access to a bench press, squat rack, and treadmill? You will receive

information regarding your level of health, fitness and skill-related components that you and

your coach can use to work on your weaknesses that may one day cause you potential injury or

loss. Dr. Young Sub Kwon is a professor of Exercise Physiology and Director of HSU Human

Performance Laboratory (HPL), and as the Principal Investigator he will be overseeing my study.

The research will be contributed to a body of literature in combat sports, specifically MMA.

Please email me with an approved letter or call if you are interested in participating. Thank you

for your time and consideration in being part of this very important study.

Sincerely,

Uriah J. Maimone

Volunteer MMA Athletes Needed for Research Study:

“Health & Skill-Related Physical Fitness Components of Mixed Martial

Artists”

Qualifications:

Current Amateur or Professional MMA Fighter

Male

Ages 18-44

No Serious Injuries (Interfere with following test)

Testing Assessments: (Option 1 or 2, or both)

1. Somatotype (body shape & composition)(no physical exertion)

2. Power, Strength, Endurance, Speed, Agility, Balance, Coordination, Flexibility Cardio-

Vascular Fitness (physical exertion)

Total Duration of Commitment:

Option 1: 1 session 15-20 minutes; Option 1 & 2: 2 separate sessions of total 2 hours

Sessions are at HSU or your Training Facility as long as you have a bench press, squat rack, and

treadmill available

Confidentiality:

Any information that is obtained in study that can be identified with you will remain confidential and

disclosed only with your permission or as required by law. Information obtained may be used for

statistical or scientific purpose with your right of privacy retained

Payment for Participation:

Strictly on a volunteer basis; no payment will be issued to subjects

Contact Information:

Uriah J. Maimone at: ujm6@humboldt.edu or cell # (310) 704 7177

CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH

HEALTH & SKILL-RELATED PHSYICAL FITNESS COMPONENTS OF MIXED

MARTIAL ARTISTS

You have been asked to participate in a research study conducted by Young Sub Kwon, Ph.D.,

Professor of Exercise Physiology and Director of Humboldt State University (HSU) Human

Performance Laboratory (HPL). The results of the research study will contribute to the

project/thesis of Uriah J. Maimone in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a M.S. Degree in

Kinesiology with an option in Exercise Science. The research will be contributed to a body of

literature in combat sports, specifically Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Please email me with an

approved letter or call if you are interested in participating. Thank you for your time and

consideration in being a part of this very impor2tant study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Preceding studies have investigated health and skill-related physical fitness characteristics in

combat sports. Currently, there is limited information regarding the rapid burgeoning sport of

MMA. The purpose of the study is to investigate health, fitness, and skill-related components of

amateur and professional MMA fighters which would provide some basic guidelines to help

coaches and athletes determine their level of health and fitness, identifying physical weaknesses,

develop training goals, help coaches prescribe exercise and predict optimal performance, and for

continued sports science research.

GOAL OF RESEARCH

The end goal is to discern and build upon methods to predict optimal MMA performances, as

well as inform, advance, and provide training for coaches and athletes towards these new

findings, passively diluting and ultimately making many of the old traditions erroneous and

obsolete.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I PARTICIPATE

This proposed project will be developed based on science and theory in the fields of Exercise

Science. All testing will take place in the HPL at HSU or subjects Gym Facility. When

scheduling takes place, you will be asked to refrain from using caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours

before each testing and training session. If you agree to be included in this study, you will be

asked to read and sign this consent form. Upon signing, the following will occur:



The study will be described in detail and your questions will be answered, then you will fill out

all pre-screening forms. You will be introduced to the study, the purposes and procedures, and

the risks and benefits. Following this introductory information, a Health History and Activity

Questionnaire, Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), and the MMA fighter

Activity Survey will be completed after testing. The investigators will provide a detailed

description of the protocol both verbally and in writing. You will be encouraged to ask questions.

The period of this study is from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016. Your fitness will be assessed and

training programs will be developed throughout this time period. Muscular fitness,

cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, somatotype and body composition, balance, steadiness,

stability, speed, power, agility, and reaction time assessments will be completed.

LOCATION AND OPTION CHOICES OF TESTING

Option 1 consist of only Somatotype (body shape & composition)(no physical exertion). Option

2 consist of somatotyping and a battery of physical test; Power, Strength, Endurance, Speed,

Agility, Balance, Stability, Steadiness, Coordination, Flexibility, Cardio- Vascular Fitness

(physical exertion). If you chose only Option 1: one 15-20 minutes session at HSU or subjects

Training Facility. If you chose Option 2: two separate sessions of total 2 hours each at HSU or

subject’s approved Training Facility as long as they have a bench press, squat rack, and treadmill

available.

POTENTIAL RISKS AND DISCOMFORTS

If you agree to Option 1 only, you may experience minor discomfort due to slight pinch of the

skin to measure body fight. If you agree to Option 2 there is a slight potential of injury. During

any kind of physical activity possess risk of injury such as strains or tears to the muscles,

tendons, ligaments, or joints of the body. Also there is a possibility of abnormal physical

responses like dizziness, changes in blood pressure, irregularities in heartbeat, and in very rare

instances heart attack or even death. You may experience muscle soreness that may occur several

hours after physical activity and possibly up to several days, however to minimize these

occurrences a proper trained staff will be monitoring the physical condition and technique during

each exercise session. At any time of the testing procedures that you feel uncomfortable or want

to discontinue, you may do so right away.

Health Components

Somatotype requires pinching of the skin to measure body fat and certain areas of the body to

expose for brief period of time to perform standard measurements. However, of subject feels

uncomfortable at any time they may stop. During any type of exercise the possibility of injury

may occur. Every effort will be made to reduce the risk of an unforeseen event including the

screening procedures and careful observation during testing. During the muscular testing there is

the possibility of a muscle strain or muscle tear. It is also possible that you may experience

muscle soreness for several days following the tests. The risk of injury from the strength testing

procedures is considered to be low. Every effort will be made to minimize your risk including

proper warm-up and a gradual increase in resistance. If at any time you desire to stop the test,

you may do so. Delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) is a normal response to exercise. While

experiencing this soreness you may feel some pain in the muscle or that the muscles are fatigued.

However, this is self-limiting and with several days of reduced activity, full muscle function will

be restored.

Skill Components

There is minimal risk involved in sport specific skill testing. The risk of injury exists in every

athletic activity. The tests you will be performing are relevant to your sport. There is possibility

of muscular strain or tear and it is also possible that you may experience muscle soreness for

several days following the tests. Every effort will be made to minimize your risk including

proper warm-up and stretching. I f at any time you desire to stop the test, you may do so.

Psychological

A psychological risk is possible should you be unhappy with your physiological results. You are

a volunteer and are informed of the various testing procedures within this study.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO ATHLETE SUBJECTS AND/OR COACHES

There may be many benefits of the battery of tests that the subjects will perform. Assessments of

health, fitness and skill related components would provide some basic guidelines to help coaches

and athletes determine their level of health and fitness identify physical weaknesses, develop

training goals, and help coaches prescribe exercise and predict optimal performance. You will

receive information regarding your cardio respiratory fitness level, body shape and size, and

body fat percentage. Muscular strength, power, and endurance fitness levels, agility, speed,

reaction time, balance, hand and eye coordination will also be given to you or your coach if you

wish. The research will be contributed to a body of literature in combat sports, specifically

MMA.

EMERGENCY CARE AND COMPENSATION FOR INJURY

By any chance you suffer from injury as a direct result of this study, it will be your responsibility

to arrange and pay for any treatment necessary. During any part of the testing, if you experience

any medical complications 911 emergency response team will be called to assist. You will also

be liable for paying any further medical assistance that you may require.

PARTICIPATION AND WITHDRAWAL

You have the right to choose whether to be in this study or not. If you choose to volunteer in this

study, you have the right at any time to withdraw without consequence of any kind. You may

refuse to answer any questions that you don’t want to answer and will still remain in the study.

However, the researcher may omit you from this study if circumstances arise that in the opinion

of the investigator warrant doing so.

RIGHTS OF THE RESEARCH SUBJECTS

At any time you may withdraw and discontinue participation without any penalty. You are not

waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because of your participation in this research study.

If you have any questions regarding your rights as a research subject, please contact investigators

or report them to the HSU Dean of Research, Dr. Rhea Williamson, at

Rhea.Williamson@humobldt.edu or (707) 826-5169.

CONTACT INFORMATION OF INVESTIGATORS

If you have any questions about the research, please feel free to contact Young Sub Kwon,

Professor, Department of Kinesiology, HSU, Arcata, CA 95521; telephone number (707) 826 -

5944 from Monday thru Friday 8am - 5pm. (or at 505-350-4345 after hours); email:

young.kwon@humboldt.edu. and/or Uriah J. Maimone, telephone number (310) 704 – 7177;

email: ujm6@humboldt.edu

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS OF THIS STUDY

The investigator will answer any question you have about this study. Your participation is

voluntary and you may stop at any time. If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints

about this study, please contact Young Sub Kwon, Ph.D. If you would like to speak with

someone other than the research team, you may call the chair of the Institutional Review Board

(IRB) for the Protection of Human Subjects, Dr. Ethan Gahtan, at eg51@humboldt.edu or (707)

826 - 4545. The IRB is a group of people from HSU and the community who provide

independent oversight of safety and ethical issues related to research involving human subjects.

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