Effect of CrossFit Training on Physical Fitness of Kickboxers

Effects of high-intensity functional training on physical fitness in healthy individuals: a systematic review with meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the effects of high-intensity functional training on the physical fitness of healthy individuals. This system review followed the PRISMA guidelines and has been registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42023475055. As of January 2024, we did a thorough search across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Library. We evaluated the methodological quality of the included study by TEST EX tool and ROB 2 tool. GRADE framework determines the level of certainty of evidence. Meta-analysis of random effects model calculations. 19 high-quality studies were included in this review, involving 911 healthy individuals. Positive effects were observed in improving strength (ES = 1.380; p < 0.001), power (ES = 1.320; p < 0.001), speed (ES = 3.093; p < 0.001), endurance (ES = 1.802; p < 0.001), and agility (ES = 2.086; p < 0.001). However, flexibility performance had no significant effect (ES = 0.640; p = 0.092), which may be attributed to limited articles. Therefore, it is necessary to expand high-quality research to explore the impact of HIFT on the physical fitness in healthy individuals.

Effects of high-intensity training on jumping performance among athletes: a systematic review with meta-analysis

This review aims to conduct a meta-analysis of the impact of high-intensity training (HIT) on athlete jumping performance. As of May 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and EBSCOhost databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Use the PEDro scale to evaluate the methodological quality of the included study. Meta-analysis of random effects model calculations. Conduct subgroup analysis (participant age, gender, training experience, intervention length and frequency). 18 high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria, including 490 athletes aged between 6 and 27 years old. The results showed that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has a moderate effect on athlete jumping performance (ES = 0.918), while high-intensity functional training (HIFT) has a small effect on athlete jumping performance (ES = 0.581). The sub analysis of moderating variables includes 19 datasets. Compared with the control group, HIT has a positive impact on the jumping performance of athletes. The training experience, age, gender, intervention frequency, and intervention length of participants did not have a significant impact on the jumping performance of athletes, indicating the applicability of HIT as a training method. However, more extensive exercise experiments are needed to obtain stronger evidence.

Relationship of selected conditioning parameters and sport performance indicators in karate

Introduction

The variables of aerobic performance and aerobic capacity are of significant importance in maintaining intensity during a fight and also contribute to faster recovery between rounds in sports fighting in karate. Anaerobic performance is crucial for the execution of the techniques during high-intensity offensive or defensive actions that determine the outcome of a fight. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between selected performance indicators of aerobic and anaerobic capacity to sports performance in karate.

Methods

The study included six male karate athletes (age 28 ± 3 years, body mass 85.10 kg; height 185.5 cm), medalists from European and World championship, events in senior categories. The selection criteria included training experience and sports level. The Karate specific aerobic test (KSAT) was use in conjunction with heart rate monitoring and changes in blood lactate levels to diagnose special aerobic endurance parameters. To determine the level of anaerobic performance the Wingate test were choosed. Technical and tactical indicators (efficiency, effectiveness and activeness of the attack) were used to assess the sports skill level during competition.

Results

Based on the Spearman correlation coefficient results demonstrated statistically significant differences (rs = -0.81) with large effect size index between efficiency of the attack and average heart rate achieved in the test KSAT. Additionally statistically significant differences (rs = 0.81) with large effect size were demonstrated between the fatigue index and efficiency of the attack Furthermore, the selected indicators of special aerobic endurance parameters and anaerobic performance demonstrated a high degree of predictive validity in relation to the efficiency (rp = 0.960) and activity (rp = 0.927) of attacks.

Conclusion

The high level of predictive validity confirmed the importance of a high level of anaerobic conditions for performance in karate. The low values of the average heart rate in relation to the efficiency of the attack confirm the high performance level of karate athletes in relation to special aerobic performance parameters. It was found that the effectiveness of the attack had no relation to the monitored parameters.

Effects of high-intensity functional training on physical fitness and sport-specific performance among the athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to meta-analyze the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' physical fitness and sport-specific performance.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in five well-known academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library) up to July 1, 2023. The literature screening criteria included: (1) studies involving healthy athletes, (2) a HIFT program, (3) an assessment of outcomes related to athletes' physical fitness or sport-specific performance, and (4) the inclusion of randomized controlled trials. The Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies included in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

13 medium- and high-quality studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, involving 478 athletes aged between 10 and 24.5 years. The training showed a small to large effect size (ES = 0.414-3.351; all p < 0.05) in improving upper and lower body muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance.

CONCLUSION

High-intensity functional training effectively improves athletes' muscle strength, power, flexibility, and sport-specific performance but has no significant impact on endurance and agility. Future research is needed to explore the impact of high-intensity functional training on athletes' speed, balance, and technical and tactical performance parameters.

Comparison of Selected Characteristics of Slovak and Polish Representatives in Kickboxing

BACKGROUND

Previous kickboxing studies conducted over the last three decades have focused on improving performance through physical fitness characteristics; however, most of the research focused on men. The objective of this study is to assess the level of physical fitness of Slovak and Polish female kickboxers in the highest sport level as well as to compare the differences between them.

METHODS

The study included 20 female kickboxers on the highest level of sport performance, 10 from Slovakia (body mass-53.59; height-166.45) and 10 from Poland (body mass-60.35; height -169.95), from senior categories, with a mean age of 23 ± 2. The selection criteria included training experience and sports level. The level of physical fitness was evaluated by the following tests: Cooper's test, 50 m sprint, sit-ups, flexed arm hang and standing long jump. Technical and tactical indicators were used to assess the sports skill level during the competition.

RESULTS

The test results of both groups are very comparable based on the evaluated data of Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. The attack activity index together with sit-ups demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between Slovak and Polish kickboxers. A strong positive correlation was proven between technical and tactical indicators and physical fitness tests in the results of both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There exists a positive correlation between the technical and tactical indicators of kickboxers and the explosive strength of lower limbs, strength endurance, abdominal muscle strength, speed and aerobic endurance. Differences between Slovak and Polish kickboxers have been shown in the attack activity index and in the level of strength endurance. The level of speed and explosive power of the lower limbs was comparable in both groups of kickboxers.

Comparison of the Physical Fitness Profile of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes with Reference to Training Experience

Background: In combat sports, successful competition and training require comprehensive motor fitness. The aim of this study was to diagnose the level of physical fitness and to determine the level of differences between athletes of combat sports characterized by stand-up fighting, such as Muay Thai; and ground fighting, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Methods: The study examined and compared 30 participants divided into two equal groups: Muay Thai athletes (n = 15; age: 24.24 ± 3.24; body height: 174.91 ± 5.19; body weight: 77.56 ± 7.3), and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) (n = 15; age: 22.82 ± 1.81; body height: 175.72 ± 7.03; body weight: 77.11 ± 8.12). Basic characteristics of the somatic build were measured. Selected manifestations of the motor potential of motor skills were also evaluated using selected tests from the EUROFIT test battery, the International Test of Physical Fitness, and computer tests of coordination skills. Relative strength and maximal anaerobic work (MAW) indices were calculated. The strength of the relationship between the effect of motor fitness and training experience was also assessed. Results: The athletes of both groups (Muay Thai and BJJ) presented similar levels of basic characteristics of the somatic build. Motor fitness in the tested groups showed significant differences between the athletes of these sports in static strength (p = 0.010), relative strength (p = 0.006), arm muscle strength in pull-ups (p = 0.035), and functional strength in bent arm hanging (p = 0.023). Higher levels of these components of motor fitness were found for the athletes in the BJJ athletes. In the Muay Thai group, significant very high strength of association was found between training experience and five strength tests. Furthermore, a significantly high strength of association was found in two tests. In the BJJ group, significant relationships with very high correlation were found between the variables in five strength tests. Conclusions: Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes performed better in strength tests (static strength, relative strength, shoulder girdle strength, functional strength). High correlations between the training load and the level of physical fitness were found in flexibility and strength tests in BJJ athletes and most strength tests in Muay Thai athletes.