Combat sports science examines the intersection of physiological, nutritional, psychological, and technological factors unique to disciplines like boxing, mixed martial arts, judo, wrestling, Muay Thai, karate, kick boxing, taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Athletes in these sports must simultaneously exhibit explosive power, technical finesse, exceptional endurance, and rapid recovery, all within the constraints of weight categories, match pacing, and tactical complexity. While the effectiveness of ergogenic aids strategies or substances that boost physical or cognitive performance is well established in traditional endurance or strength sports, the translation of these interventions to combat sports lags behind. Existing research has begun to document both acute and chronic benefits of nutritional supplementation, neuromuscular conditioning, and cognitive training; however, significant gaps persist concerning discipline-specific mechanisms, responder variability, and the practical deployment of these approaches during real competition settings. Furthermore, evolving anti-doping measures, weight-management controversies, and the diverse demands across striking and grappling formats underscore the need for rigorous, sport-specific, and ethically responsible inquiry.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate and expand the scientific basis for ergogenic practices in combat sports. It seeks to illuminate the mechanistic foundations, effective applications, and performance outcomes of nutrition, supplementation, physical conditioning, cognitive training, recovery modalities, and wearable technologies in striking and grappling disciplines. Specific objectives include unravelling how individual characteristics (e.g., genotype, sex, weight class, competitive level) moderate the effects of ergogenic strategies, identifying evidence-based protocols that are safe and legal, and translating laboratory insights into coach- and athlete-friendly recommendations. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches and ecologically valid methodologies, this topic aspires to close the gap between controlled research findings and their translation to the unpredictability and intensity of real-world combat sports.

This Research Topic focuses on evidence-based ergogenic interventions designed specifically for combat sports, while excluding non-ergogenic or primarily technical/tactical studies. Contributions exploring both the underlying mechanisms and practical implementation are welcomed. To gather further insights in these areas, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Efficacy and individual responsiveness to nutritional and supplement-based ergogenic aids across combat sports.
o Sport-specific physiological and neuromuscular mechanisms driving performance enhancement.
o Training and recovery interventions—acute and chronic effects on adaptation, resilience, and competition readiness.
o Cognitive and perceptual performance strategies tailored to combat demands, including psychological and expectancy effects.
o Integration of technology, data analytics, and AI-driven tools for load monitoring and performance optimization.
o Safety, ethical, and regulatory considerations around weight management and ergogenic use in youth, female, and elite populations.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Ergogenic Strategies in Combat Sports: Mechanisms, Applications, and Performance Outcomes