Effectiveness of Olympic Combat Sports on Balance, Fall Risk or Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS), compared with active/passive controls, on balance, fall risk, or falls in older adults. The TESTEX and GRADE scales assessed the methodological quality and certainty of the evidence. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42020204034). From 1496 records, eight studies were included, involving 322 older adults (64% female; mean age = 71.1 years). The TESTEX scale revealed all studies with a score ≥ 60% (moderate-high quality). The GRADE scale indicated all studies with at least some concerns, up to a high risk of bias (i.e., was rated very low). Meta-analyses were planned, although the reduced number of studies precluded its incorporation in the final manuscript. Only two from six studies that assessed balance found improvements after OCS compared to controls. No differences were found between OCS vs. control groups for fall risk or falls. The available evidence does not allow a definitive recommendation for or against OCS interventions as an effective strategy to improve balance and reduce the fall risk or falls in older adults. Therefore, more high-quality studies are required to draw definitive conclusions.

Effect of the COVID-19 quarantine on body mass among combat sports athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: to combat the COVID-19 pandemic governments have adopted measures such as quarantine and social distancing. Objective: the main objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 quarantine on body mass in combat sports athletes. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional, prospective, multi-center study that evaluated 234 men (mean age and standard deviation, 29 ± 10 years) residing in Argentina (n = 38); Bolivia (n = 1); Brazil (n = 105); Chile (n = 30); El Salvador (n = 1); Spain (n = 22); Mexico (n = 22) and Peru (n = 15). Of these, 12 practiced Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), 54 boxing, 67 judo, 13 karate, 52 kick boxing & muay thai (KB & MT), 9 mixed martial arts (MMA), and 27 taekwondo (TKD). An online survey was created using Google Forms. It was implemented between April 4th and April 17th, 2020. Athletes were consulted about their body mass before starting the quarantine and after 20 ± 5 days of quarantine. Results: athletes in all combat sports were heavier during quarantine as compared to pre-quarantine (p < 0.001, d = 0.12). Conclusions: combat sports athletes experienced an increase in body mass during the COVID-19 quarantine.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: para combatir la pandemia de COVID-19, los gobiernos han adoptado medidas como la cuarentena y el distanciamiento social. Objetivo: el principal objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el impacto de la cuarentena por COVID-19 sobre la masa corporal en atletas de deportes de combate. Métodos: realizamos un estudio transversal, prospectivo y multicéntrico que evaluó a 234 hombres (media de edad y desviación estándar, 29 ± 10 años) que residen en Argentina (n = 38); Bolivia (n = 1); Brasil (n = 105); Chile (n = 30); El Salvador (n = 1); España (n = 22); México (n = 22) y Perú (n = 15). De estos, 12 practicaban jiu-jitsu brasileño (BJJ), 54 boxeo, 67 judo, 13 karate, 52 kick boxing y muay thai (KB y MT), 9 artes marciales mixtas (MMA) y 27 taekwondo (TKD). Se creó una encuesta en línea usando Google Forms. Se implementó entre el 4 y el 17 de abril de 2020. Se preguntó a los deportistas sobre su masa corporal antes de comenzar la cuarentena y después de 20 ± 5 días de cuarentena. Resultados: los atletas de todos los deportes de combate resultaron más pesados durante la cuarentena que durante la precuarentena (p < 0,001, d = 0,12). Conclusiones: los atletas de deportes de combate presentaron una mayor masa corporal durante la cuarentena a causa de la COVID-19.

High-intensity interval training recommendations for combat sports athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused governments to establish quarantine and social distancing for the population in order to decrease the contamination peak, factors that have affected the athletes' preparation. In this context, we developed some high-intensity interval training (HIIT) recommendations for Olympic combat sports athletes that can be performed at home. The HIIT protocols should be added by body mass-based muscle strengthening exercises (similar to technical exercises), with the goal to preserve athletes' muscle mass and physical fitness. Finally, emergency situations require contingency plans for sport.