Comparison of traditional and ecological dynamical training approaches in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: effects on Force Development, reactivity, and distress perception

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a combat sport discipline characterized by high situational complexity. No studies in the literature provide a systematic scientific foundation for the comparison between traditional teaching methodologies and the ecological-dynamical approach. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two training approaches on the following parameters: Rate of Force Development, muscular reactivity, and perception of psychophysical distress. Sixty amateur and semi-professional athletes were equally divided into an experimental group and a control group. For the pre- and post-intervention assessments, the following tests were used: the Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull with a force platform for RFD; the Blaze Pod Reaction Speed test with Blaze Pods for reactivity; and ad hoc questionnaires to collect data on distress perception. The mixed 2 × 2 ANOVA showed that peak RFD increased by 15% in the experimental group compared with 5% in the control group (p = 0.020). Reaction times, also analyzed through mixed ANOVA, decreased by 15% in the experimental group compared with 7% in the control group (p = 0.007). Only the experimental group showed a significant reduction in perceived distress (Wilcoxon: Z = -4.10, p < 0.001). The post-intervention comparison between groups using the Mann-Whitney test revealed a significant difference in favor of the experimental group (U = 320.0, p =0.004). The results indicate that an approach based on the ecological-dynamical framework leads to greater improvements in explosive capacity, reactivity, and distress management in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes compared with the traditional method.