The Effects of Mixed Martial Arts Gloves on Grip Strength.

Abstract: Peveler, WW, Schoffstall, J, Kilian, J, Glauser, J, Coots, J, and Peveler, R. The effects of mixed martial arts gloves on grip strength in trained fighters. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Grip strength is a key component during grappling segments of a mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. Gloves are worn during MMA competitions to reduce damage to the striker and the opponent during contact. Fighters often complain that MMA gloves reduce the ability to grip an opponent effectively. However, the reported decrease in grip strength has yet to be examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mixed martial arts gloves on grip strength. Fourteen trained fighters volunteered to participate in this study. Grip strength was measured using a hand grip strength dynamometer during 2 counterbalanced trials (1 with an MMA glove and 1 without). Grip strength was measured 3 times during each trial, with 1 minute of recovery between each attempt. The highest recorded grip strength was used for each condition. Means for dependent measures (highest grip strength for both conditions) were compared using a paired sample t-test with an alpha of 0.05. Grip strength was significantly greater in the no glove condition (46.21 ± 6.14 kg) than in the glove condition (35.57 ± 6.12 kg) at p ≤ 0.001, d = -3.09. Findings from this study indicate that MMA gloves significantly decrease grip strength by 23% in relation to the no glove condition. This reduction in strength could be significant enough to result in a decrease in the ability of the fighter to control an opponent's movement. Fighters should spend more training time grappling in MMA gloves, and MMA glove redesign should be considered.