Variations in the Physical Performance of Olympic Boxers over a Four-Day National Qualifying Tournament

Post-Activation Performance Enhancement of Punch Force and Neuromuscular Performance in Amateur Boxing: Toward a More Individualized and "Real-World" Approach

ABSTRACT

Finlay, MJ, Greig, M, Bridge, CA, and Page, RM. Post-activation performance enhancement of punch force and neuromuscular performance in amateur boxing: Toward a more individualized and "real-world" approach. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1063-1071, 2024-Previous research on post-activation performance enhancement has been applied in several sporting settings, although this is lacking in a boxing setting. This study explored the effectiveness of 2 upper-body conditioning activities in improving punch-specific performance during an amateur boxing-simulated bout. On 3 separate occasions, 10 male senior elite amateur boxers performed the following conditioning activities before a boxing-specific simulation protocol: isometric (ISO) punch, elastic resistance (ER) punch, and a control trial. Boxers performed maximal punches against a vertically mounted force plate, and countermovement jumps (CMJ) at baseline, before round 1, after each round, and 4 minutes after the simulation. Both conditioning activities, but not the control trial, produced small worthwhile increases (effect size ≥ 0.20; equal to or greater than the smallest worthwhile change) in punch force, although worthwhile increases in rate of force development were limited to the cross during the ISO trial. No group-based improvements in CMJ performance were observed. Individual analysis revealed that 6 boxers improved punch-specific performance to the greatest extent in the ISO trial; in contrast, only 1 boxer did so in the ER trial. Three boxers exhibited similar performance increases across trials. In conclusion, both conditioning activities may be applied to an amateur boxer's warm-up to acutely enhance punch-specific performance. The ISO conditioning activity seems most effective; however, the interindividual variability suggests a need for protocols to be individualized to each athlete. The conditioning activities in the present study may be applied to sparring, competitive bouts, or to other combat sports.

A comparative analysis of the physical fitness profile of Korean women's national amateur boxers by weight category

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in specific physical fitness of the national amateur women's boxer. The Korean women's national amateur boxers were classified into the lightweight category (LWC, n=21) and middleweight category (MWC, n=13), and body composition (percentage body fat and body mass index) and specific physical fitness (maximal muscle strength, anaerobic power, isokinetic muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to determine the differences in the body composition and specific physical fitness in women's boxers. The percentage body fat (P=0.004) and body mass index (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the LWC compared to MWC. In addition, LWC showed significantly higher isokinetic muscle strength (P<0.001), upper anaerobic mean power (P=0.002), maximal muscle strength (P=0.003), and maximal heart rate at anaerobic threshold (P=0.029), maximal oxygen consumption (P<0.001) and the 20-m shuttle-run exercise (P=0.004) compared to MWC. In conclusion, the body fat percentage and body mass index levels among body composition were significantly higher in the MWC than in the LWC, and the constant muscle strength, maximum muscle strength, and cardiopulmonary endurance levels were significantly higher in the LWC than in the MWC. The results of this study are expected to provide useful data for planning future strategies for efficient and scientific training programs for each weight category.

Half-Squat and Jump Squat Exercises Performed Across a Range of Loads: Differences in Mechanical Outputs and Strength Deficits

ABSTRACT

Loturco, I, McGuigan, MR, Freitas, TT, Bishop, C, Zabaloy, S, Mercer, VP, Moura, TBMA, Arruda, AFS, Ramos, MS, Pereira, LA, and Pareja-Blanco, F. Half-squat and jump squat exercises performed across a range of loads: differences in mechanical outputs and strength deficits. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2022-The aim of this study was to compare the peak force (PF), peak power (PP), and peak velocity (PV) outputs produced during half-squat (HS) and jump squat (JS) exercises executed at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) in the HS (HS 1RM) and to compute and compare the strength deficit (SDef) achieved in these exercises across these loads. Twenty-four national rugby union players (age: 25.7 ± 3.6 years) performed HS 1RM and a progressive loading test in the HS and JS exercises. The PF, PP, and PV values were obtained in all loads for both exercises, and the SDef was calculated as the percentage difference between the PF at distinct relative intensities and the PF at HS 1RM. The differences in HS and JS variables were determined using an analysis of variance with repeated measures. Higher PF, PP, and PV outputs were generated in the JS in comparison with the HS exercise (p < 0.05); moreover, the SDef magnitudes were significantly lower in the JS (p < 0.01), for all loading conditions. Importantly, the differences in SDef, and as a consequence, PF, PP, and PV decreased progressively with increasing load. Overall, the loaded JS exhibited increased levels of PF, PP, and PV and reduced levels of SDef when compared to the traditional HS performed across a range of loads. The JS is indicated to reduce the SDef and improve the athletes' ability to apply force at higher velocities. Nevertheless, with heavier loads (i.e., ≥80% HS 1RM), its potential advantages and effectiveness may be seriously compromised.

The Acute Physiological, Endocrine, Biochemical and Performance Responses Associated with Amateur Boxing: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

AbstractPrevious research has explored the demands of amateur boxing-specific activity; however, no holistic review of the acute responses to such activity currently exists. This systematic review aimed to provide a synthesis of the available literature on the acute physiological, endocrine, biochemical and neuromuscular responses to amateur boxing-specific activity. Following a search of EBSCOhost, SportDiscus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, 25 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria for the review. Methodological quality of the included studies were assessed via a modified Downs and Black checklist. Random-effects meta-analysis of standardised mean differences (SMD) revealed large (SMD = 4.62) increases in pre-post blood lactate (BLa), cortisol (SMD = 1.33), myoglobin (Mb) (SMD = 1.43) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (SMD = 1.37), in addition to moderate increases in creatine kinase (CK) (SMD = 0.65) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SMD = 0.97). Small pre-post increases in counter-movement jump (CMJ) height (SMD = 0.33) were observed. Consistently greater pre-post alterations were observed in competitive bouts, followed by sparring, when compared with boxing-specific simulations. Considerable physiological, endocrine and biochemical responses are elicited following amateur boxing. Interestingly, neuromuscular and task-specific performance may not deteriorate following boxing-specific activity. The findings of the review may assist in the designing and periodising of boxing-specific training, dependent on the desired physical adaptations, training phase and recovery status of the amateur boxer.