2022, Volume 18
Physical and physiological characteristics of kickboxers: a systematic review
Pavel Ružbarský1, Kristína Němá1, Tomaš Perič2, Tadeusz Ambroży3, Robert Bąk4, Marta Niewczas4, Łukasz Rydzik5
1Department of Sports Kinanthropology, Faculty of Sports, Universtiy of Presov, Prešov, Slovak Republic
2Department of Sports Educology and Humanities, Faculty of Sports, Universtiy of Presov, Prešov, Slovak Republic
3Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Kraków, Poland
4College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland
5Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Rzeszów, Poland
Author for correspondence: Łukasz Rydzik; Institute of Sport Science, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Rzeszów, Poland; email: lukasz.rydzik@awf.krakow.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Kickboxing is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. A typical kickboxing fight consists of 3 rounds lasting from 2 to 3 minutes with a minute break between rounds. Kickboxing is combat sport where two types of fights occur: light-contact (tatami sports) and full contact (ring sports). The aim of this study was knowledge about the available information of body composition, body fat percentage, and aerobic and anaerobic performance indicators of kickboxers based on research from the last 10 years (with one exception, that formed the basis for subsequent research, using a systematic review an meta-analysis).
Material and Methods: The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analysis (PRISMA). Monitored indicators were somatotype and body fat percentage through skin measurement and bioimpedance analysis, aerobic performance by measuring VO2max, anaerobic performance through Wingate test.
A systematic search was conducted using Web of Sciences, Scopus. A total of 109 studies were screened and 15 were included in the meta-analysis. The inclusion criteria were: the study was published in 2010-2021, observational studies, the average age of the athletes involved in the study was ±22 years, written in English. Data extracted from studies included 285 male athletes (age: 22 ±5 years; height: 175 ±6.7 cm; weight: 71 ±8.6 kg). The sample size, average and standard deviation of the selected characteristics of kickboxers were extracted from each selected study.
Results: Successful male kickboxers have been shown to have a low body fat percentage. In terms of somatotype, the mesomorphic component predominates in men kickboxers. Studies have shown high levels of maximal anaerobic performance of kickboxers.
Conclusions: These results could by an essential objective basis for evaluating some of kickboxers’ physical characteristics and for trainers who could benefit from them when developing optimal training plans and setting training goal.
Key words: body fat, physical fitness, Wingate test, VO2max, somatotype