The Science of Mixed Martial Arts
What you'll learn
- Understand how food is converted to energy, and what ATP is.
- Understand what the ATP-PCr system is and how it works and recognize performance adaptations that result from training the ATP-PCr system.
- Understand how anaerobic glycolysis works and specify performance adaptations that arise from targeting anaerobic glycolysis.
- Identify how ATP is produced in aerobic energy metabolism and understand performance adaptations that arise from targeting aerobic energy systems.
- Appreciate how all energy systems work together.
- Understand the pros and cons of low and high intensity training.
- Know how to manipulate movement pattern, work interval, rest interval and exercise intensity to train: Aerobic energy systems Glycolytic energy systems & mo re
- Understand the complexity of muscles and how they contract.
- Understand different muscle fiber types and their properties.
- Be familiar with the factors that influence strength and power development.
- Identify the different training adaptations that can result from well-designed MMA conditioning program.
- Understand fundamental training principles.
- All about selecting exercises.
- Identify the optimal order of exercises.
- Determine training frequency based on training status.
- Assign load & repetitions based on the training goal.
- Assign training volumes according to the athletes training status & training goal.
- Determine resting period lengths based on the training goal.
- Appreciate how your body responds to training.
- Explain the general adaptation syndrome.
- Define overtraining, supercompensation and a mal-adaptation to training.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of overtraining.
- Understand how to lower your risk of overtraining.
- Components of a pre-exercise warm-up
- ID the factors that affect flexibility
- Select & apply appropriate stretching methods to increase joint range of motion.
- Understand key concepts in periodization.
- Appreciate the art and science of periodization.
- Identify the five phases of a fight plan; General preparatory phase; Fight-specific phase; Fight camp; The taper; The transition.
- Understand how to implement a testing battery to assess physical and mental performance in key domains:
Requirements
- No experience needed.
Description
The Science of MMA: Train Smarter, Fight Longer, Dominate the Cage
Most fighters train hard, but very few train smart. The biggest mistake in MMA isn’t a lack of effort—it’s following outdated methods that don’t maximize your potential.
Welcome to The Science of MMA, where you’ll uncover the evidence-based training principles that separate elite fighters from the rest. Created by Dr. Jason Gillis and The MMA Training Bible, this course breaks down the metabolic, muscular, and strategic aspects of fight preparation, so you can optimize your endurance, strength, and performance.
What You’ll Learn:
- How your body powers high-intensity efforts and why fighters gas out
- The truth about endurance training—low vs. high intensity for MMA
- The science of explosive strength & power—how to train for knockout force
- How to structure your workouts for maximum fight-day performance
- The hidden dangers of overtraining and how to avoid performance plateaus
- Periodization strategies to peak at the right time
- How to implement a performance testing system to track progress
Who Is This Course For?
- MMA fighters, coaches, and trainers who want to optimize training
- Combat athletes looking to increase endurance, strength, and power
- Fitness enthusiasts who want to train like an elite fighter
Start Training Smarter Today—Enroll now !
Who this course is for:
- This course is designed for fighters, coaches, and athletes who want to train smarter and optimize their performance using science-backed methods.
Instructor
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- 1 Student
- 6 Courses
Dr. Jason Gillis is a professor in the Human Performance Laboratory within the Department of Sport & Movement Science at Salem State University. He specializes in human applied physiology and research methods, mentoring students as they explore the science of performance. An environmental physiologist by training, Jason’s research focuses on how menthol influences human temperature regulation, perception, and athletic performance.
Jason’s academic journey spans multiple countries. He earned his BSc (Hon.) in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University (Canada), followed by a Master’s degree from KU Leuven (Belgium) and the Norwegian School of Sports Science (Norway). He then completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Physiology at the University of Portsmouth (England) while working with the Research and Innovation Team at UK Sport in preparation for the Beijing and London Olympic Games.
Beyond academia, Jason is deeply passionate about sports science, coaching, and athletic performance. With a background in mixed martial arts, he has a particular interest in the science behind combat sports and optimizing performance under extreme conditions. Whether in the lab, the classroom, or the arena, Jason brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and hands-on experience to his teaching and research.