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.