A.A. Gorelov^{1, 5}
PhD V.M. Voronov²
Dr. Hab., Professor O.G. Rumba^{3, 5}
PhD, Associate Professor A.K. Namazov^4
1Saint Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (Kaliningrad Branch), Kaliningrad
²Alexander Nevsky Club, Stary Oskol
³Military Institute of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg
⁴Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg
⁵North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk (NEFU), Yakutsk

Objective of the study was to analyze benefits of the psychophysiological qualities tests and analyses for competitive progress in modern mixed martial arts.
Methods and structure of the study. We sampled the mixed martial arts elite and provisionally split it up into the fast-, mid- and slow-success groups (M1, M2 and M3, respectively) for the psychophysiological qualities tests with the polar groups matching method and group competitive progress analysis. We used the following psychophysiological qualities tests: simple  and complex sensorimotor response tests; static and dynamic  movement coordination tests; critical flash discrimination frequency test; response to moving object test; and stress tolerance, activity, communication skills and feel of rhythm tests – using KPFK-99 Psychomat Test System. We also tested the attention control by proofreading test and Gorelov test; and rated the static-kinetic balancing skills by the Yarotsky test.
Results and Conclusion. The study data and analyses found the set of psychophysiological qualities tests being beneficial for profiling competitive progress in modern mixed martial arts. The tests found the psychophysiological qualities of the mixed martial arts elite being by far higher in many aspects than in unsporting groups and many sports groups. This finding was verified by the sensorimotor response, movement coordination, critical flash discrimination frequency, response to moving object and other tests, with a special role played by the tests of the attention controls under high-intensity physical stress and tests of the ability to fast adjust the high-intensity motor actions requiring fast thinking, with complex and partially aerial/ unsupported movement sequences. Of special benefit was the full set of Luscher tests for the elite mixed martial arts competitors qualified Honored Masters of Sports and World Class Masters of Sports – whose test rates were significantly higher than in the Masters of Sports and Candidate Masters of Sports groups.

Keywords: mixed martial arts, psychophysiological tests, psychophysiological qualities, polar groups matching method,

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