Introduction:
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA) can provide the appropriate amount of movement to prevent mental disorders. The aim of the study was to compare individuals training in BJJ, MMA, and both of these disciplines in terms of the occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and level of life satisfaction.

Material and methods:
The study involved 229 people (147 men – 64.2%, and 82 women – 35.8%) aged 14 to 47 years, with an average age of 29 ± 7.897. Out of all respondents, 62.4% trained in BJJ, 16.2% in MMA, and 21.4% in both sports. To assess the subjects’ parameters, the following scales were used: the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the author’s original scale of sociodemographic data.

Results:
The results from the SWLS showed a significant difference in life satisfaction between groups practicing different sport disciplines. People practicing BJJ scored 24 ± 5.952 points, those practicing MMA scored 21 ± 6.727 points, and people practicing both disciplines scored 25 ± 6.704 points. The results were statistically significant (p = 0.029). In the HADS-A subscale, women achieved statistically significantly higher results than men (p = 0.000). Moreover, the age of the respondents and the length of training in years showed statistically significant positive correlations with the results of the HADS-A scale.

Conclusions:
People practicing only MMA rated their life satisfaction lower than those training both disciplines or only BJJ. A longer period of training and older age were associated with less severe anxiety symptoms. Women scored higher on the anxiety scale than men.