A University of Bath exercise psychologist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner is calling for UK-based BJJ players to take part in a new study exploring the links between the sport and mental health.
Dr Jeff Lambert, a senior lecturer in the Department for Health, took up the sport in 2023 and quickly fell in love with it after training at Gracie Barra Frome, in Somerset.
Although anecdotally many BJJ players report that that training and competing provides mental health and wellbeing benefits, there is a lack of robust research exploring these effects.
Dr Lambert is now recruiting UK-based BJJ practitioners aged 18 and above, of all levels, to take part in an online study. The initial survey will take around 10 minutes, and then a follow-up will take place two months later.
Dr Lambert said: “After starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu myself, I quickly grew passionate about the sport and its powerful impact on mental well-being. I wanted to understand more about the mental health benefits of BJJ, but I found a surprising lack of research in this area.
“That's why I'm launching this study – to shed light on how BJJ can support mental health and resilience, and to provide valuable insights for the community. I’m excited to invite BJJ practitioners from all backgrounds to get involved and help us uncover the full mental benefits of this incredible sport.”
Dr Lambert’s coach and BJJ black belt Callum Swift, added: “Throughout all my years in the sport, instructors and coaches have claimed numerous positive benefits of BJJ towards fitness and mental health, but it is really exciting to be part of a project that is going to look in-depth into the anecdotal claims. This will then improve the chances of club like mine being able to source governmental funding from to help introduce more people to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
Sport and Exercise Health Student Katie Partridge, who will be conducting the research as part of their dissertation, said: “I am thrilled to be a part of this exciting research project to shed light on some of the impacts of BJJ for improving well-being. If you are currently practicing the sport and interested in acknowledging what BJJ has done for your mental health and others across the UK, completing this survey will help uncover exactly that.”
Although there is some research support supporting claims that BJJ can improve mental health and wellbeing it remains understudied. A 2019 study found clinically meaningful improvements in post-traumatic stress markers, along with improvements in anxiety, depression, and reduced alcohol intake for those who practice BJJ. A systematic review in 2021 also proposed BJJ training to be an appropriate public health intervention considering its social climate and emphasis on developing resilience, alongside its mitigating effect on aggression.
However there is a lack of research looking at the effects of BJJ training across time, which this study aims to help address. The research will place a particular focus on the differences between mental-health status with location of practice, BJJ status, experience and training load.
The survey is available online. All responses will be treated confidentially and data will be stored securely and handling according to GDPR and other data protection regulations.