Sports Physical TherapyNCT07329504
Effects of Aikido and Taijiquan Training Among Mixed Martial Arts Players
A study testing Aikido training and Taijiquan training in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a physically demanding sport that requires athletes to maintain high levels of strength, flexibility, rapid response, and power. However, the intense focus on strength and endurance training in MMA can often result in neglecting joint health, flexibility, and relaxation techniques. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sports Physical Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Aikido training and Taijiquan training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 21 Mar 2025to 2 Nov 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
- Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
- Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
- Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).
Who cannot join
- Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
- Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
- Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
- Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
- Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Aikido and Taijiquan Training on Joint Mobility, Reaction Time and Power Among Mixed Martial Arts Players
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a physically demanding sport that requires athletes to maintain high levels of strength, flexibility, rapid response, and power. However, the intense focus on strength and endurance training in MMA can often result in neglecting joint health, flexibility, and relaxation techniques. Traditional martial arts, such as Aikido and Taijiquan, offer a complementary training approach emphasizing fluid movement, balance, and relaxation, which could be beneficial for MMA athletes. Aikido focuses on harmonizing movement and using an opponent's momentum to neutralize their power, while Taijiquan emphasizes controlled movements and internal power ("qi") to enhance body awareness and relaxation. This study investigates the effects of Aikido and Taijiquan on joint mobility, reaction time, and power among MMA athletes, aiming to determine whether these martial arts can enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
This randomized clinical trial will involve 17 MMA athletes divided into two groups: Group A (Aikido training) and Group B (Taijiquan training). Over an eight-week period, each group will engage in three weekly training sessions lasting 60-75 minutes. Key performance indicators, including joint mobility (Sit and Reach Test), reaction time (Catch the Ruler Test), and power (Vertical Jump Test), will be measured before and after the training program. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS software, with significance set at p=0.05, employing the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test for within-group and between-group comparisons, respectively.
Read the detailed description
It will be a Randomized Clinical Trial study.The sample size of the study will be 34 participants (19 in each group) through non probability sampling technique. Data will be collected from Pakistan sports board coaching center LHR \& Roar Martial Arts Fitness Club Lahore.Data will be collected within 10 months after approval of synopsis.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
- Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
- Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
- Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
- Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
- Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
- Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
- Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.
Data Collection Tools:
- Hip Joint mobility will be assessed using sit-to-reach test
- Reaction time will be evaluated through hexagon test.
- Power will be evaluated through vertical jump test
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Being tested
- Aikido training, Taijiquan training
- Keywords
- Aikido Training, Taijiquan Training, Mixed Martial Arts Players
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aikido trainingOther
This group will receive Aikido training to improve joint mobility, reaction time and power.
Taijiquan trainingOther
This group will receive Taijiquan training tom improve joint mobility, reaction time and power.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aikido training | Experimental | This group will receive Aikido training to improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. Receives: Other: Aikido training |
| Taijiquan training | Experimental | This group will receive Taijiquan training tom improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. Receives: Other: Taijiquan training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sit to reach test
The Sit and reach test is one of the linear flexibility tests which helps to measure the extensibility of the hamstrings and lower back. The Sit and Reach Test measures lower back and hamstring flexibility, with normal scores varying by age and gender. For men, scores range from 24-34 cm 20-29 age and decrease slightly with age, while women score 27-36 cm in the same age range, also seeing a gradual decline over time. Higher scores indicate above-average flexibility, mid-range scores are average, and lower scores suggest limited flexibility
Measured: 8 weeks
Hexagon test
The Hexagon Test is a simple, agility-based fitness assessment primarily used to evaluate an individual's quickness, balance, and coordination. It involves the participant standing at the center of a hexagon marked on the ground, typically with each side measuring about 24 inches. The participant must quickly jump over each line of the hexagon in a specific clockwise or counterclockwise sequence, aiming to complete three laps as fast as possible without stepping on the lines or losing rhythm
Measured: 8 weeks
Vertical jump test
The Vertical Jump Test measures explosive leg power by assessing how high an individual can jump from a stationary position. The participant first records their standing reach height, then jumps as high as possible, with the height difference indicating the vertical jump score. High scores suggest strong leg power and athleticism, while lower scores indicate areas for improvement. For males, an "Excellent" jump is over 28 inches, "Above Average" is between 24-28 inches, "Average" is 20-24 inches, and "Below Average" is under 20 inches. For females, an "Excellent" score is over 24 inches, "Above Average" falls between 20-24 inches, "Average" is 16-20 inches, and "Below Average" is less than 16 inches
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jan 2026
- Study start21 Mar 2025
- Primary completion2 Oct 2025
- Study completion2 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sports Physical TherapyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized Clinical Trial study
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Iqra khan, MS-SPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International UniversityTasghir Nabi, MS-SPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07329504
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0487
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
James LP, Haff GG, Kelly VG, Beckman EM. Towards a Determination of the Physiological Characteristics Distinguishing Successful Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Systematic Review of Combat Sport Literature. Sports Med. 2016 Oct;46(10):1525-51. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0493-1.
PubMed 26993133Almasi T, Guey LT, Lukacs C, Csetneki K, Voko Z, Zelei T. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) with a focus on MMA caused by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (mut) deficiency. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019 Apr 25;14(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s13023-019-1063-z.
PubMed 31023387Bueno JCA, Faro H, Lenetsky S, Goncalves AF, Dias SBCD, Ribeiro ALB, da Silva BVC, Filho CAC, de Vasconcelos BM, Serrao JC, Andrade A, Souza-Junior TP, Claudino JG. Exploratory Systematic Review of Mixed Martial Arts: An Overview of Performance of Importance Factors with over 20,000 Athletes. Sports (Basel). 2022 May 24;10(6):80. doi: 10.3390/sports10060080.
PubMed 35736820van der Woude LHV, Houdijk HJP, Janssen TWJ, Seves B, Schelhaas R, Plaggenmarsch C, Mouton NLJ, Dekker R, van Keeken H, de Groot S, Vegter RJK. Rehabilitation: mobility, exercise & sports; a critical position stand on current and future research perspectives. Disabil Rehabil. 2021 Dec;43(24):3476-3491. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1806365. Epub 2020 Aug 17.
PubMed 32805152Pimentel RE, Pieper NL, Clark WH, Franz JR. Muscle metabolic energy costs while modifying propulsive force generation during walking. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2021 Nov;24(14):1552-1565. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2021.1900134. Epub 2021 Mar 22.
PubMed 33749464
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Aikido and Taijiquan Training on Joint Mobility, Reaction Time and Power Among Mixed Martial Arts Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07329504
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0487
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Keywords
- Aikido Training, Taijiquan Training, Mixed Martial Arts Players
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a physically demanding sport that requires athletes to maintain high levels of strength, flexibility, rapid response, and power. However, the intense focus on strength and endurance training in MMA can often result in neglecting joint health, flexibility, and relaxation techniques. Traditional martial arts, such as Aikido and Taijiquan, offer a complementary training approach emphasizing fluid movement, balance, and relaxation, which could be beneficial for MMA athletes. Aikido focuses on harmonizing movement and using an opponent's momentum to neutralize their power, while Taijiquan emphasizes controlled movements and internal power ("qi") to enhance body awareness and relaxation. This study investigates the effects of Aikido and Taijiquan on joint mobility, reaction time, and power among MMA athletes, aiming to determine whether these martial arts can enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
This randomized clinical trial will involve 17 MMA athletes divided into two groups: Group A (Aikido training) and Group B (Taijiquan training). Over an eight-week period, each group will engage in three weekly training sessions lasting 60-75 minutes. Key performance indicators, including joint mobility (Sit and Reach Test), reaction time (Catch the Ruler Test), and power (Vertical Jump Test), will be measured before and after the training program. Statistical analyses will be conducted using SPSS software, with significance set at p=0.05, employing the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test for within-group and between-group comparisons, respectively.
Detailed description
It will be a Randomized Clinical Trial study.The sample size of the study will be 34 participants (19 in each group) through non probability sampling technique. Data will be collected from Pakistan sports board coaching center LHR \& Roar Martial Arts Fitness Club Lahore.Data will be collected within 10 months after approval of synopsis.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
- Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
- Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
- Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
- Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
- Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
- Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
- Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.
Data Collection Tools:
- Hip Joint mobility will be assessed using sit-to-reach test
- Reaction time will be evaluated through hexagon test.
- Power will be evaluated through vertical jump test
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized Clinical Trial study
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aikido training | Experimental | Other: Aikido trainingThis group will receive Aikido training to improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. |
| Taijiquan training | Experimental | Other: Taijiquan trainingThis group will receive Taijiquan training tom improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Both male and female mixed martial arts players' age 18-30 years will be included.
- Participants must engage in physical activity (2-3 times a week) (20).
- Players have training experience of Aikido and Taijiquan training (21).
- Participants must have minimum one year experience of mixed martial arts training (22).
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Participants with sustained injuries (fractures, sprains and stress) will be excluded.
- Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded.
- Those participants taking medicine will be excluded.
- Participants with known history of joint disease or chronic illness.
- Participants engaged in other high intensity physical training outside of MMA.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Aikido trainingThis group will receive Aikido training to improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. | Other | Aikido training |
| Taijiquan trainingThis group will receive Taijiquan training tom improve joint mobility, reaction time and power. | Other | Taijiquan training |
Primary outcome
Sit to reach test
Time frame: 8 weeks
The Sit and reach test is one of the linear flexibility tests which helps to measure the extensibility of the hamstrings and lower back. The Sit and Reach Test measures lower back and hamstring flexibility, with normal scores varying by age and gender. For men, scores range from 24-34 cm 20-29 age and decrease slightly with age, while women score 27-36 cm in the same age range, also seeing a gradual decline over time. Higher scores indicate above-average flexibility, mid-range scores are average, and lower scores suggest limited flexibility
Hexagon test
Time frame: 8 weeks
The Hexagon Test is a simple, agility-based fitness assessment primarily used to evaluate an individual's quickness, balance, and coordination. It involves the participant standing at the center of a hexagon marked on the ground, typically with each side measuring about 24 inches. The participant must quickly jump over each line of the hexagon in a specific clockwise or counterclockwise sequence, aiming to complete three laps as fast as possible without stepping on the lines or losing rhythm
Vertical jump test
Time frame: 8 weeks
The Vertical Jump Test measures explosive leg power by assessing how high an individual can jump from a stationary position. The participant first records their standing reach height, then jumps as high as possible, with the height difference indicating the vertical jump score. High scores suggest strong leg power and athleticism, while lower scores indicate areas for improvement. For males, an "Excellent" jump is over 28 inches, "Above Average" is between 24-28 inches, "Average" is 20-24 inches, and "Below Average" is under 20 inches. For females, an "Excellent" score is over 24 inches, "Above Average" falls between 20-24 inches, "Average" is 16-20 inches, and "Below Average" is less than 16 inches
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 26993133James LP, Haff GG, Kelly VG, Beckman EM. Towards a Determination of the Physiological Characteristics Distinguishing Successful Mixed Martial Arts Athletes: A Systematic Review of Combat Sport Literature. Sports Med. 2016 Oct;46(10):1525-51. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0493-1.
- Background: PubMed 31023387Almasi T, Guey LT, Lukacs C, Csetneki K, Voko Z, Zelei T. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the epidemiology of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) with a focus on MMA caused by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (mut) deficiency. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019 Apr 25;14(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s13023-019-1063-z.
- Background: PubMed 35736820Bueno JCA, Faro H, Lenetsky S, Goncalves AF, Dias SBCD, Ribeiro ALB, da Silva BVC, Filho CAC, de Vasconcelos BM, Serrao JC, Andrade A, Souza-Junior TP, Claudino JG. Exploratory Systematic Review of Mixed Martial Arts: An Overview of Performance of Importance Factors with over 20,000 Athletes. Sports (Basel). 2022 May 24;10(6):80. doi: 10.3390/sports10060080.
- Background: PubMed 32805152van der Woude LHV, Houdijk HJP, Janssen TWJ, Seves B, Schelhaas R, Plaggenmarsch C, Mouton NLJ, Dekker R, van Keeken H, de Groot S, Vegter RJK. Rehabilitation: mobility, exercise & sports; a critical position stand on current and future research perspectives. Disabil Rehabil. 2021 Dec;43(24):3476-3491. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1806365. Epub 2020 Aug 17.
- Background: PubMed 33749464Pimentel RE, Pieper NL, Clark WH, Franz JR. Muscle metabolic energy costs while modifying propulsive force generation during walking. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2021 Nov;24(14):1552-1565. doi: 10.1080/10255842.2021.1900134. Epub 2021 Mar 22.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Iqra khan, MS-SPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
Tasghir Nabi, MS-SPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aikido training and Taijiquan training in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sit to reach test (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07329504, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jan 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.