Every athlete prepares for their craft in different ways, designated by their sport and style of training. One thing that runs similar for all is the body preparation involved in getting ready for an event. MMA fighters train with multiples coaches, trainers, and health care practitioners. One cannot wake up and decide to fight. Lasting one round, let alone three, requires so many different degrees of preparation.
The basis of a fighter’s health comes down to how you treat your body. Athletes all have separate needs, which vary further by body type. Where one athlete might need to carb load before a fight for energy, another might balance that carb load with other energy sources that work better for their body dynamics and composition. Diet plays a massive role in building a body that is tailored to the specific sport. Dieticians play an integral role in helping an athlete work out their body's needs during the different phases of training; For MMA fighters, that includes the off time, training time, week before prep, 24 hours prep, and after fight recovery. It comes down to body needs and nutritional math. BTC Fight recently started an Instagram segment that takes you into the kitchen of BTC fighters. Find out what the pros are eating and gather some insight into their daily prep for training and fights.
Physical body preparation takes a team that ultimately starts with the athlete. The athlete will determine their body complaints and concerns for their care team, who then work together to build up the weakness and accelerate healing. Chiropractic care plays a huge role in pre- and post-fight preparation and healing when it comes to combat fighters – specifically, chiropractic practitioners who implement joint manipulation PLUS myofascial release therapy, among other tools. Chiropractic medicine has morphed over the years to include much more than joint manipulation for therapeutic relief.
Shelburne Family Chiropractic’s clinical director and lead chiropractor, Dr. Richard Magder, approaches pre- and post-fight body care methodically. When asked about the importance of pre-fight care, Dr. Richard Magder states, “Preparing your body for battle is vital in that, our bodies are adaptive to the constraints we put on them. If we constantly work on increasing our flexibility and range of motion, we can avoid injuries that less physically fit individuals would suffer from. There is an old saying, get comfortable being uncomfortable. That statement holds true, especially for combat athletes that hope to have a lasting presence in their sport.” When treating an athlete, Dr. Magder utilizes an array of different, dynamic, and highly effective treatments, including shockwave therapy, myofascial release therapy and proprioceptive neurofunctional stretching, joint mobilizations and manipulations, acupuncture, and prescribed exercise.
Secondary to great pre-fight care is the importance of after fight care. Dr. Magder goes on to say, “After a fight, the body will likely suffer some form of myofascial as well as joint stiffness that requires joint manipulation. I like to use joint mobilizations as well as manipulations to restore function. As well, myofascial release therapy is used to reduce pain as it encompasses massage techniques as well as stretching. Finally, I like to ensure that we prescribe the correct exercises to ensure that the athlete is moving properly to allow for efficient recovery. It’s always been my belief that movement is the best medicine that any doctor can prescribe to their patient.”
MMA Pro fighter, Adam Assenza, speaks to the above, emphasizing the importance of chiropractic care along with other modalities. “The main things I do to keep healthy are regular maintenance with my chiropractor (Endorphins Health and Wellness), nutrient IV’s with my sport doctor (Phenom Medicine) and correct planning to avoid overtraining.” With each fighter being different and needs being so dynamic, it is safe to say that each fighter relies heavily on their practitioners to keep their bodies healthy and fit – resulting in a long and successful career, devoid of preventable injuries. BTC Fight COO Shari Carruthers, who oversees the facility and fighters, adds, “In order for MMA fighters to stay competitive in their sport they have to be on top of their health. This involves so many different aspects. Being on the cutting edge and continually looking for that one treatment, routine, strength and conditioning program may give you that edge in the cage and perhaps the edge in getting back in there quickly after injury. I feel that this means taking care of existing injuries as well as ensuring they practice preventative care. I think through regular preventative care the body can learn to heal itself.
The preparation and training never ends, as do the options for body care on the market. Ultimately, if you are taking care of the ailments that can cause poor performance, then you are miles ahead of those who are not practicing regular maintenance and body care.
