Martial Arts Research

Studies

Definitions and Understanding

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and submission techniques. It evolved from traditional Japanese jujutsu and judo, brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda in the early 1900s, where the Gracie family adapted and refined it into its modern form.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is derived from Japanese Jujitsu:
Ju (柔) = gentle, soft, yielding, flexible
Jitsu (術) = art, technique, or method
BJJ sing softness, flexibility, and an opponent's own force against them rather than meeting force with force. The "gentle" doesn't mean the techniques are weak or passive, but rather that they emphasize technique, leverage, and timing over brute strength.
Sidenote 1: Judo Naming
Sidenote 2: Other Martial Arts Comparison

Martial Arts Increase Oxytocin Production Notes

"The philosophy underpinning traditional martial arts is one of attaining the Zen state of mushin (“no mindedness”).

- This describes a state whereby the participant is capable of “fighting” to their fullest extent but without aggressive feelings.

- Such balance is achieved through ritualization of combat moves and the requirement of respect to the instructor, practice space, and one another, as well as by highlighting the importance of meditation and philosophies such as peace, benevolence, humanity, and self-restraint."Sidenotes

Sidenote 1: Judo Naming

The same "ju" character appears in "judo," which means "gentle way" (ju + do, where "do" means "way" or "path"). This reflects how these arts focus on redirecting an opponent's energy and using minimal effort to achieve maximum effect, rather than relying on raw power or aggression.

Sidenote 2: Other Martial Arts Comparison

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Ground-focused grappling art emphasizing submissions through joint locks and chokes. Highly effective for one-on-one combat and MMA. Training involves intense live sparring ("rolling").
Japanese Jujitsu: The traditional ancestor of BJJ, covering a broader range including strikes, throws, joint locks, and weapons. More comprehensive but less specialized than BJJ. Training often includes forms (kata) and historical techniques.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): A full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from multiple martial arts disciplines, allowing both striking and grappling in standing and ground positions.
Taekwondo: Korean martial art famous for its dynamic kicking techniques, particularly high kicks, jumping kicks, and spinning kicks. It emphasizes speed, flexibility, and distance management.
Karate: Japanese/Okinawan striking art using punches, kicks, and blocks. Different styles vary from linear (Shotokan) to circular (Kyokushin). Strong emphasis on forms and discipline.
Muay Thai: Thai "art of eight limbs" using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Excellent for conditioning and striking power. Heavy focus on practical application and full-contact training.
Tai Chi: Internal Chinese martial art practiced primarily for health, meditation, and longevity. Emphasizes slow, flowing movements and energy cultivation (qi). Rarely practiced for combat in modern times.
Boxing: Western punching art with superior hand techniques, footwork, and head movement. Outstanding for developing timing, distance, and cardiovascular fitness.
Judo: Japanese throwing art emphasizing balance, leverage, and ground pins. Olympic sport with strong emphasis on technique over strength. Less submission-focused than BJJ.
Krav Maga: Israeli military system focused on real-world self-defense and aggression. Emphasizes quick, brutal techniques and situational awareness rather than sport application.
Sambo: A Russian/Soviet martial art and combat sport that combines judo-style throws with leg locks and wrestling techniques. The name comes from "SAMozashchita Bez Oruzhiya" (self-defense without weapons).

PHYSIOLOGICAL, PERFORMANCE AND PERCEPTIVE RESPONSES TO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COMBATS Notes

Andreato, L. V., Marta, S., Victor, J., Esteves, D. C., & Franchini, E. (2014). PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, PERFORMANCE AND PERCEPTIVE RESPONSES TO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU COMBATS. 46(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2975.5522

"Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fights resulted in a significant increase in glucose, lactate and cortisol concentrations, indicating a substantial activation of the glycolytic pathway."
"Thus, a great part of lactate formed probably originated from the glucose released through the degradation of muscular glycogen.
"The reliance on carbohydrate degradation and the lactate accumulation are related to the high-intensity intermittent actions conducted during the match."
Competition anxiety causes psychological stress which leads to increase in corisol levels.
At the same time, anticipation could increase availability of energy during fights
Stress before competition since no stress impares performance

Martens, R., Vealey, R.S., & Burton, D. (1990). Competitive anxiety in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics

IgA concetrations increase of flight controllers after work shifts, because their work involved a considerably high level of tension and psychological stress

Zeier, H., Brauchli, P., & Joller-Jemelka, H.I. (1996). Effects of work demands on immunoglobulin A and cortisol in air traffic controllers. Biological Psychology, 42(3), 413-423.