Physiological Responses and Time-Motion Analysis of Kickboxing: Differences Between Full Contact, Light Contact, and Point Fighting Contests.

ABSTRACT: Ouergui, I, Benyoussef, A, Houcine, N, Abedelmalek, S, Franchini, E, Gmada, N, Bouhlel, E, and Bouassida, A. Physiological responses and time-motion analysis of kickboxing: differences between full contact, light contact, and point fighting contests. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2558-2563, 2021-This study investigated the physiological responses and time structure of kickboxing styles (full contact, light contact, and point fighting). Blood lactate [La] before and after combats, mean heart rate (HRmean), percentage of time spent in HR zones, and rating of perceived exertion were assessed. Time spent in high-intensity activities (HIAs), low-intensity activities (LIAs), and referee pauses (P) were recorded according to rounds (R) and kickboxing styles. [La] increased statistically significant after kickboxing combats (p < 0.001) and was higher after light contact compared with point fighting (p = 0.029). HRmean did not differ between kickboxing specialties (p = 0.200). However, more time was spent on HR zones 4 and 5 (Z4: 80-90% and Z5: 90-100% HRmax) than in other zones (all p < 0.001). Rating of perceived exertion scores were higher after light and full contact combats compared with point fighting (p = 0.007 and 0.093, respectively). High-intensity activities, LIAs, and pauses did not statistically differ across rounds (p > 0.05). Moreover, HIA values were lower than LIA (all p < 0.001), and HIA and LIA were higher than pause for all rounds and styles (all p < 0.001). Full contact elicited higher HIA compared with point fighting (p = 0.003, 0.001, and 0.002 for round 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Coaches and strength and conditioning professionals should emphasize anaerobic and muscle power development for all disciplines, especially for full and light contact and maximal aerobic power enhancement by targeting specific HR zones. Moreover, training regimen may include high-intensity interval training to mimic these sports' specificity using the effort-pause ratios according to different kickboxing sports.

Effects of 1 vs. 2 sessions per week of equal-volume sprint training on explosive, high-intensity and endurance-intensive performances in young soccer players.

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of 1 vs. 2 sessions per week of equal-volume sprint training on explosive, high-intensity and endurance-intensive performances among young soccer players. Thirty-six young male soccer players were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups that performed either a single weekly sprint training session (ST1, n = 18, age: 17.2 ± 0.8 years) or two weekly sprint training sessions (ST2, n = 18; age: 17.1 ± 0.9 years) of equal weekly and total volume, in addition to their regular soccer training regimen. Linear sprinting (10 m, 20 m, 30 m, and flying 10 m), T-test agility, countermovement jump (CMJ) and maximal oxygen consumption were assessed one week before (T1), in the middle (T2) and immediately after the 10 weeks of training (T3). A large magnitude and statistically significant main effect for time was found in all the assessed variables after both training interventions (all p < 0.001; ES ≥ 0.80). No main effect was observed between the 2 groups at any time in linear sprinting, T-test or CMJ test (p > 0.05; ES < 0.20). A significant interaction effect (F = 4.05; p = 0.04, ES = 0.21) was found for maximal oxygen consumption with ST2 inducing better performance than ST1 (p = 0.001; ES = 1.11). Our findings suggested that the two sprint training frequencies were effective in enhancing explosive, high-intensity and endurance-intensive performances. However, it is recommended for coaches and fitness coaches to use a biweekly sprint training modality as it was found to be more effective in improving endurance-intensive performance.

Effect of Ramadan observance on maximal muscular performance of trained men.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of Ramadan fasting on maximal performance of moderately trained young men using various tests of muscle performance. DESIGN: Comparison of Ramadan fasting (n = 10) versus control group (n = 10) over 3 test sessions, before Ramadan (B), at the end of the first week of Ramadan (R-1), and during the fourth week of Ramadan (R-4). SETTING: At each 2-day test session, 4 tests were performed in the same order: measurement of vertical jump height (VJH) and a force-velocity test using the arms on day 1, and measurement of handgrip force (HGF), and a force-velocity test using the legs on day 2. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty trained men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maximal power of the arms and of the legs (force-velocity testing), vertical jump performance, HGF, anthropometric data, dietary intake, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. RESULTS: Two-way analyses of variance (group × time) showed Ramadan fasters with decreased maximal anaerobic power of the arms (Wmax-A) and legs (Wmax-L) at R-1, with a partial return of arm data to initial values at R-4. Vertical jump height and HGF remained unchanged throughout. Other changes in Ramadan observers were a decreased energy intake and a decrease of plasma volume at R-1. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Ramadan observance initially had detrimental effects on Wmax-A, and Wmax-L, with a tendency to recovery by week 4 of Ramadan. Reductions of total energy intake and intramuscular glycogen may contribute to the reduced Wmax-A and Wmax-L during Ramadan fasting.

Effect of a prior force-velocity test performed with legs on subsequent peak power output measured with arms or vice versa.

The aim of this study was to examine whether measurement of peak anaerobic power (Wpeak) by force-velocity test using the arms or the legs influenced the performance obtained when the opposite muscle group was tested. Ten trained male throwers (age: 20.6 +/- 2; stature: 1.82 +/- 0.06 m; and body mass: 85.5 +/- 17.2 kg) performed, on separate days, 2 Monark cycle-ergometer protocols comprising (a) arm cranking (A1) followed by a leg cycling (L2) force-velocity test (series A-L) and (b) a leg cycling (L1) followed by an arm cranking (A2) force-velocity test (series L-A). On each day, 8 minutes of seated rest separated the 2 force-velocity tests. Arterialized capillary blood was collected from the finger tips for blood lactate analysis at rest and at the end of each force-velocity test. Wpeak-A1 and Wpeak-A2 were similar (8.1 +/- 1.7 and 8.6 +/- 1.5 W.kg, respectively). Wpeak-L1 and Wpeak-L2 were 14.0 +/- 3 and 13.4 +/- 2.8 W.kg (NS). Blood [La] increased significantly after each force-velocity test (p < 0.001), but peak blood [La] did not differ significantly between L1 (6.6 +/- 1.2) and L2 (6.2 +/- 1.4 mmol.L) or between A1 (7.2 +/- 1.0) and A2 (7.4 +/- 1.6 mmol.L). In this population, force-velocity tests performed using the legs or the arms did not induce a significant decrease in force-velocity determinations of peak anaerobic power performed subsequently with the opposite muscle group. In strength-trained athletes, the force-velocity approach can thus be used to measure the peak power output of both the legs and the arms in a single laboratory session, without adversely affecting estimates of an athlete's performance.