Aggression Control and Emotional Regulation in Combat Sports: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examines the critical role of aggression control and emotional regulation in combat sports. Combat sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), wrestling, judo, and taekwondo require athletes to manage heightened emotional states while maintaining strategic control. This paper synthesises current research on psychological mechanisms, physiological responses, training interventions, and performance outcomes related to emotional regulation in combat athletes. Through analysis of five key studies and empirical data, this review demonstrates that effective emotional regulation strategies, including cognitive reappraisal, mindfulness training, and arousal control techniques, significantly enhance athletic performance while reducing maladaptive aggression. Findings indicate that athletes with superior emotional regulation skills exhibit better decision-making, improved technical execution, and enhanced competitive outcomes. The paper concludes with practical implications for coaches, sport psychologists, and athletes seeking to optimise emotional control in high-intensity competitive environments.