Martial arts striking sports prehabilitation programme (MASS-12): Jump higher, move safer, and feel better

Martial arts involve cutting, jumping and landing movements known to increase injury risk. Martial artists frequently sustain injuries. Recreational martial arts have yet to implement an evidence-informed prehabilitation programme to prevent these injuries. Here, we evaluate the Martial Arts Striking Sports prehabilitation programme (MASS-12) in a recreational setting.

Three traditional martial arts warm-ups and two MASS-12 warm-ups were delivered over 2 weeks as a recreational Jiu Jitsu club hall. A coach and seven athletes (five male, two female), ranging in experience from white belt to brown belt, participated. Main Outcome Measures were the Frontal plane projection angle (FPPA), a measure of dynamic knee valgus and Single leg vertical hops (SLVH), a measure of performance.

Over half of recreational athletes reported previous, serious lower limb injuries. Athlete FFPA and SLVH significantly improved (-11.9° to -1.93°, 25.2 vs 27.5 cm, respectively) after the MASS-12. Athletes appreciated the increased feedback and sense of preparedness. The coach found it easy to teach and perceived improvements in performance.

The MASS-12 is easy for coaches to implement; improves lower limb alignment; and is accepted by athletes. A significant improvement on current practices, the MASS-12 should be widely implemented in recreational martial arts.