Relative and absolute reliability of specific kickboxing circuit training protocol in male kickboxers

Reliability and Validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test

Purpose: This study investigated the test-retest reliability and discriminant validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KAST) and established a comparison with the maximal cycling sprint test (MCST). Methods: Forty-two male kickboxing athletes (18 elite and 24 sub-elite) participated in this study. Kickboxers performed the tests in both single and multiple forms. The KASTsingle was composed of kicks and punches, performed as quickly as possible until 5 reps of a 4 techniques' combination (i.e., straight left punch, right-roundhouse kick, straight right punch, and left-roundhouse kick) were completed. The MCSTsingle was composed by a single 6-s maximal effort. The KASTmultiple was performed using 5 sequential sets of the single form following a 10s rest interval between sets. The MCSTmultiple was performed using 5 × 6 s repeated cycling efforts with 10s rest intervals. The tests and retests were carried out on separate occasions. To establish the test's discriminatory capability, elite and sub-elite athletes were compared. Results: All tests' performance scores showed excellent relative and absolute reliability (ICC > 0.900, SEM ≤ 0.98 s for KASTs and ≤ 0.74 W•kg-1 for MCST tests). Significant correlations between the identical versions were "large" (r > 0.70). Receiving operating characteristic analyses indicated that the KASTs and cycling tests were able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite kickboxers. Additionally, the findings showed that KASTsingle, MCSTsingle, KASTmultiple, and MCSTmultiple correctly classified the groups by 78.6%, 73.6%, 88.1%, and 78.6%, respectively. Conclusions: This study supported the test-retest reliability and the discriminant validity of the KASTsingle and KASTmultiple to evaluate kickboxing athletes.

The Effectiveness of a Group Kickboxing Training Program on Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis Parameters in Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 50-85 Years

Background

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are important health issues faced by older people. These are often associated with each other and share common risk factors and pathologic mechanisms. In the recently revised consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, low muscle strength has been defined as the first characteristic of sarcopenia rather than a loss in muscle mass, and walking speed has been stated as an indicator of the severity of sarcopenia. It is believed that these markers of muscle function can be potentially reversed via exercise-based interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of kickboxing exercise training on the parameters of sarcopenia and osteoporosis in community-dwelling adults.

Methods

In total, one hundred eligible subjects were randomized into an intervention group (n = 50) with 76% women and control group (n = 50) with 86% women. Both the intervention and control groups were provided with classroom lectures and personal consultations pertaining to sarcopenia and osteoporosis, whereas a 12-week kickboxing exercise training was arranged only for the intervention group. All anthropometric, physical performance, body composition, and bone mineral density measurements along with participant completed questionnaires were conducted before and after the training period.

Results

After 12 weeks, 41 participants in the intervention group and 34 participants in the control group completed the final assessments. There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of basic demographic data. The BMI (+1.14%) of the control group increased significantly during the study period. The waist circumference (−6.54%), waist-to-height ratio (−6.57%), waist–to–hip ratio (−4.36%), total body fat (−1.09%), and visceral fat area (−4.6%) decreased significantly in the intervention group. Handgrip strength (+5.46%) and gait speed (+5.71%) improved significantly in the intervention group. The lean body mass increased by 0.35% in the intervention group and by 0.9% in the control group. The femoral neck bone mineral density (−1.45%) and T score (−3.72%) of the control group decreased significantly. The intervention group had more improvement in the status of sarcopenia (OR 1.91) and osteoporosis over the control group. Finally, the intervention group had less deterioration in the status of sarcopenia (OR 0.2) and osteoporosis (OR 0.86) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that a 12-week kickboxing exercise training program is effective for improving sarcopenic parameters of muscle strength and function, but not muscle mass in adults, aged 50–85 years. Furthermore, markers of osteoporosis also showed improvement. These findings suggest that a 12-week kickboxing program is effective for muscle and bone health among community-dwelling older individuals.