Special Physical Preparation for Injury Prevention in Jiu-Jitsu
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of a Functional Training System (FTS) on injury prevention and physical performance of 15 adolescent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The 12-week intervention combined functional strength exercises, CORE stability, joint mobility and BJJ-specific techniques, structured in phases of adaptation, strength and power. Results showed significant improvements: 22.2 % increase in pushing strength, 33.3 % increase in CORE endurance and 62.5 % reduction in reported injuries. In addition, a 60 % decrease in perceived pain and 42.9 % decrease in fatigue were observed. The findings support the efficacy of SEF in optimizing performance and reducing injuries, highlighting the importance of specialized physical preparation in contact sports. Limitations include a small sample and lack of control group, suggesting future research with greater diversity and advanced technologies. The objective of the intervention was to analyze the impact of a Functional Training System on physical performance and the incidence of injuries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, through a structured intervention based on principles of special physical preparation, biomechanics, core stability, periodization, and prevention, with the aim of optimizing conditional capacities and reducing the risk of injuries in this discipline.
References
Almeida T.F. de, y Araújo A.R. de (2020) Factors that Influence Injuries Occurrence in Jiu-Jitsu Competitors. Int J Sports Exerc Med, 6, 164. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5718/1510164
Anjos, RP, Jesus Júnior, RB, Silva, ND, Silva, RMS, Monari, BT, Oliveira, LAA, Oliveira, SE, Passos, LC, y Coelho, ES. (2024). Análise das lesões traumato-ortopédicas em praticantes de jiu-jítsu na categoria adulta: uma revisão integrativa. Revista FT, 29(141). https://doi.org/10.69849/revistaft/pa10202412091953
Belo, WR, Castro, LF, Palmieri, DC, Santos, LGD, Herrera-Valenzuela, T., Santos, MAF, Øvretveit, K., y Simão, R. (2021). Post-Exercise Hypotension in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sport Mont, 19(1), 39-43. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.210208
Boyle, M. (2023). New functional training for sports (3rd ed.). Human Kinetics.
Boyle, M. (2017). El entrenamiento funcional aplicado a los deportes (1ª ed.). Ediciones Tutor, S.A.
Boyle, M. (2018). Adelantos en entrenamiento funcional. Editorial Babelcube Inc.
Bompa, T., y Buzzichelli, C.A. (2016). Periodización del entrenamiento deportivo (4ª Edición). Editorial Paidotribo.
Bompa, T. O., y Buzzichelli, C. A. (2017). Periodización del entrenamiento deportivo (6ª ed.). Editorial Paidotribo.
César, E.P., Júnior, C.S., y Francisco, R.N. (2021). Effects of 2 Intersection Strategies for Physical Recovery in Jiu-Jitsu Athletes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(4), 585-590. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0701
Cook, G. (2010). Movement: Functional movement systems: Screening, assessment, corrective strategies. On Target Publications.
Cook, G., Hall, J., y Cook, M. (2022). The business of movement: Principles, patterns, and productivity. On Target Publications.
Contreras, B., y Cordoza, G. (2019). Glute Lab: The Art Science of Strength and Physique Training. Editorial Victory Belt Publishing Inc.
Denisovets, A., y Pylypchuk, P. (2021). Prevention of injuries in sports. Scientific Journal of the Dragomanov Ukrainian State University. Series 15, 10(141), 46-48. https://doi.org/10.31392/NPU-nc.series15.2021.10(141).11
Debieux, P., Kaleka, C., Rabelo, A., Eustáquio, J., y Barbosa, O. (2021). Knee injuries prevalence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: epidemiological study. Acta Ortopédica Brasileira, 29(6), 327-330. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-785220212906240726
Delvaux, F., Kaux, J.-F., y Croisier, J.-L. (2025). Lesiones musculares de la extremidad inferior y kinesiterapia. EMC - Kinesiterapia - Medicina Física, 46(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1293-2965(24)49908-8
Delgadillo, J.S., Alvarez, E.D.H., Barrera, A.R., y Soto, E.M.M. (2021). Revisión sistemática de los indicadores utilizados en el diagnóstico del síndrome de sobreentrenamiento en atletas. Fisioterapia, 43(5), 295-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ft.2021.01.007
D’Amato, M., y Bach, B.R. (2005). Lesiones de la rodilla. En: S.B. Brotzman, y K.E. Wilk, Rehabilitación ortopédica clínica (2ª edición, pp. 239-356). Elsevier EBooks.
Elisworth, A. (2017). Anatomía & Entrenamiento del CORE: Guía de ejercicios para un torso perfecto. Editorial Paidotribo.
Eustaquio, JMJ, Borges, AMF, Vilela, LS, Gouveia, MPC, Rabelo, AL, Kaleka, CC, Debieux, P., y Neto OB (2021). Does the Fight Profile Interfere with Orthopedic Injuries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Open Access J Sports Med, 12, 171-178. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S337912
Fernandez-Jaén, TF, Rey, GA, Cuesta, JA, Loureda, RA, España, FÁ, Matas, RB, Pazos, FB, Beas Jiménez, JD, Rosell, JC, Fernandez, CC, Ros, FE, Colmenero, JE, Prado, JF, Cota, JJ, González, JI, Santander, MG, Munilla, MÁ, Ruiz, FI, Díaz, FJ, Marqueta, PM, Fernandez, AM, Benito, JJM, Vilás, RO, Teres, XP, Amaro, JP, Roque, JPS, Parenteu, CR, Serna, JR, Álvarez, MS, Marchori, CS, Soto, MV, Alonso, JMV, García, PG, Iglesia, NH, y Alcorocho, JM (2016). Spanish Consensus Statement: The Treatment of Muscle Tears in Sport. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 3(12), 2325967115622434. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967115622434
Gracie, R., Gracie, R., Danaher, J., y Peligro, K. (2001). Brazilian jiu-jitsu: Theory and technique. Invisible Cities Press LLC.
Gregoriades, N. (2017). Jiu jitsu training secrets: 101 tips & tricks every BJJ player should know. Autoedición.
Hibbs, A.E., Thompson, K.G., French, D., Wrigley, A., y Spears, I. (2008). Optimizing Performance by Improving Core Stability and Core Strength. Sports Medicine, 38(12), 995-1008. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200838120-00004
Hernández P. (2019). El ABC del Entrenamiento Funcional. Edición Kindle
Ishikawa, K., Tamate, T., Hasegawa, M., Obana, K., Crawford, S., y Chang, S. (2023). Increasing trend in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu injuries presenting to U.S. emergency departments – a 10-year analysis and injury profile. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 52, 167-174. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2023.2197898
Jones, N., y Ledford, E. (2012). Strength and Conditioning for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34, 60-69. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3182405476
Hunker, J., Tarpada, S., Khoury, J., Goch, A. y Kahn, M. (2023). Injuries Common to the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner. Cureus, 15. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.37502
Kirby Gómez, D.J. (2023). Entrenando con sentido común (Ed. esp.). Edición Kindle.
Langeron, O., y Riou, B. (2009). Tratamiento de los traumatismos de la columna vertebral. EMC - Anestesia-Reanimación, 35(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1280-4703(09)70444-x
Leppänen, M., Aaltonen, S., Parkkari, J. Heinonen, A., y Kujala, U. (2014). Interventions to Prevent Sports Related Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. Sports Med, 44, 473-486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0136-8
López Vázquez, M.A. (2010). Crítica de libros. Lesiones deportivas. Diagnóstico, tratamiento y rehabilitación, R. Bahr, S. Maehlum, 3a ed, Ed. Médica Panamericana, Madrid (2007), 446p. Rehabilitación, 44(2), 193-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rh.2009.10.008
Martínez, L.C. (2008). Revisión de las estrategias para la prevención de lesiones en el deporte desde la actividad física. Apunts Medicina de L Esport, 43(157), 30-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1886-6581(08)70066-5
Mendez Bustamante, G., y Rojas Zúñiga, K. (2024). Entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad (HIIT) sobre la condición física y percepción del esfuerzo en practicantes de Jiu-jitsu brasileño. Revista Chilena de Rehabilitación y Actividad Física, 4(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.32457/reaf1.2590
McDonald, J., McDonald, A., Wolf, C., y Murdock, F. (2017). Prevalence of Injuries during Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training. Sports, 5(2), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5020039
McGill, S.M. (2021). Back mechanic: The step-by-step McGill method to fix back pain (2nd ed.). Backfitpro Inc.
McLaren, S., Tee, J., y Jones, B. (2019). Sports Injury Prevention is Complex: We Need to Invest in Better Processes, Not Singular Solutions. Sports Medicine, 50, 689-702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01232-4
Moreno Pascual, C., V. Rodríguez Pérez, y Seco Calvo, J. (2008). Epidemiología de las lesiones deportivas. Fisioterapia, 30(1), 40-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0211-5638(08)72954-7
Paiva, A. (2012). Brazilian jiu-jitsu: The ultimate guide to dominating Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts combat. Tuttle Publishing.
Pitirkin, F.Y., Kolomiets, O.I., Petrushkina, N.P., y Sazanova, E.A. (2020). Optimization technologies of spine muscular-ligamentous apparatus functional state in young athletes, who go in for jiu-jitsu. Russian Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.14526/2070-4798-2020-15-2-115-124
Ramírez Guerra, D.M. (2025). La readaptación de lesiones deportivas: un desafío para las ciencias de la salud actual. Salud & Ciencias Médicas, 4(6), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.56124/saludcm.v4i6.001
Rodríguez Jiménez, M. (2016). Aplicación de la termografía como herramienta útil para la prevención de lesiones en judo [Trabajo Fin de Grado en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte. Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF) (UPM)]. https://oa.upm.es/73606/
Santana, J.C. (2019). Entrenamiento funcional para transformar todo el cuerpo: Más de 100 workouts para mejorar la fuerza, el acondicionamiento físico y la funcionalidad (1ª ed.). Ediciones Tutor, S.A.
Santana, J.C. (2018). Entrenamiento Funcional: Ejercicios y programas de entrenamiento para conseguir el máximo rendimiento (2ª ed.). Ediciones Tutor, S.A.
Samuel Pantoja, C. (2012). Lesiones de la columna lumbar en el deportista. Revista Médica Clínica Las Condes, 23(3), 275-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0716-8640(12)70311-5
Santos-Rodrigo, J.A. (2023). Prevención de lesiones en deportistas de alto rendimiento. Revista Multidisciplinaria de Ciencia Básica, Humanidades, Arte y Educación, 1(3), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10252575
Soriano-Pérez, P., y Belloch Salvador, L.I. (2015). Biomecánica Básica: Aplicada a la actividad física y el deporte. Editorial Paidotribo.
Soares, H., Neto, S., Caseiro Filho, L., Girasol, C., y Santos, S. (2023). Epidemiologia das lesões e suas implicações em praticantes de jiu-jitsu: Uma revisão sistemática integrativa. Rev Bras Ortop, 59, e364-e371. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1785662
Stephenson, S., Kocan, J., Vinod, A., Kluczynski, M., y Bisson, L. (2021). A Comprehensive Summary of Systematic Reviews on Sports Injury Prevention Strategies. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 9(10). https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671211035776
Vanmeerhaeghe, A.F., y Rodriguez, D.R. (2012). Rol del sistema sensoriomotor en la estabilidad articular durante las actividades deportivas. Apunts Medicina de L’Esport, 48(178), 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apunts.2012.09.002
Vera-García, F.J., Barbado, D., Moreno-Pérez, V., Hernández-Sánchez, S., Juan-Recio, C., y Elvira, J.L.L. (2015). Core stability. Concepto y aportaciones al entrenamiento y la prevención de lesiones. Revista Andaluza de Medicina del Deporte, 8(2), 79-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ramd.2014.02.004
Author Biography
I have a strong background in planning, guiding, executing, and supervising individual or group physical activity programs, considering the requirements or needs of the subject in accordance with the requirements and populations served; evaluating, providing feedback, and controlling through constant monitoring and inspection the correct execution of the various exercises, the impact on individuals, and expected physical changes according to previously established objectives. I can also propose improvements or adjustments to the program or routine based on the subject's response and performance, ensuring the well-being, safety, and health of the individuals. I am trained to generate projects in physical activity using administrative and management tools. I consider myself highly technical and pride myself on being an individual of integrity, able to collaborate with teams by creating spaces for reflection and learning according to established goals.
Founder and Director of Human Performance Studio HPS.KC S.A.S.®, a company that offers training programs with national and international certification, 100% theoretical and practical. Our certifications are high-impact programs focused on providing each student with the knowledge and competencies necessary to achieve a high professional level and incorporate world-class tools.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lecturas: Educación Física y Deportes

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.




