The effects of Kick-Box training based group fitness on cardiovascular and neuromuscular function in male non-athletes

Full text

!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
VO LU M E 7 2 - N. 3 - S E T T E M B R E 2 0 1 9!
Indicizzata
in
Focus On:
Sports Science & Medicine (ISI)
Citata
nel
Journal Citation Reports (ISI)!

!
!
!
Exercise Prescription Area
Exercise Prexcription Area
!
MED SPORT 2019;72:439-52!
!
!
!
!
The effects of a sixteen-week kickboxing
training period on physical and physiological
characteristics of young male subjects!
!
Gli effetti di un allenamento di kickboxing della
durata di sedici settimane sulle caratteristiche
fisiche e fisiologiche di giovani soggetti maschi !
F. SENDURAN ¹, S. MUTLU 1, M. KASAP 2!
!
¹Department of Sport, Turkish National Defence University NCO School, Balıkesir, Turkey
2Department Department of Sport Sciences, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
!
SUMMARY!
Background: The present study examined the effects of kickboxing training-based group fitness on
cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, single leg balance, trunk flexibility, trunk strength, static arm
strength, speed-agility and explosive leg power in male non-athletes.
Methods: The current study on 234 healthy non-athletes men (aged 21-23 years) was arranged as a two-armed
randomized controlled trial. For the kickboxing group, instructed kickboxing training was provided twice a
week for 16 weeks. Differences in the anthropometric, physical and physiological characteristics baseline data
between the intervention (INT) and control (CON) groups were tested by student’s t-test, univariate analyses of
variance and paired sample t-test analyses for each parameter. All dependent parameters were analyzed by
separate 2 (group: INT vs. CON) X 2 (time: pre- vs. post-test).
Results: We observed large statistically significant between-group effects of BMI, Sit-and-Reach, Balance, Sit-
Ups in 30 seconds, Bent Arm, Shuttle Run (10 x 5 meters) and 20 m endurance VO2max with significantly
larger improvements for INT. Standing broad jump and static arm strength (left-right) were not relevantly
affected.
Conclusıons: This study reveals that instructed kickboxing training can be applied to improve well-being,
balance, aerobic endurance, flexibility, static arm strength and speed-agility function in male non-athletes.
KEY WORDS: Kickboxing, Physical fitness, Cardiovascular, Endurance, Strength.
!
!
RIASSUNTO
OBIETTIVO: Il presente studio esamina gli effetti dell’allenamento di gruppo basato sulla kickboxing sulla resistenza
cardiorespiratoria, la resistenza muscolare, l’equilibrio delle singole gambe, la flessibilità del tronco, la forza del
tronco, la forza statica delle braccia, velocità-agilità e la potenza esplosiva delle gambe in uomini non atleti.
METODI: Il presente studio su 234 uomini non atleti in salute (con un’età compresa tra i 21 e i 23 anni) è stato
organizzato come trial controllato randomizzato a due bracci. Per il gruppo che praticava kickboxing, l’allenamento è
stato impartito due volte alla settimana per 16 settimane. Le differenze nei dati di riferimento sulle caratteristiche
antropometriche, fisiche e fisiologiche tra il gruppo di intervento (INT) e quello di controllo (CON) sono state
esaminate in base all’analisi della varianza univariata e del test t di Student e alle analisi del test t per campioni appaiati
per ogni parametro. Tutti i parametri dipendenti sono stati analizzati secondo 2 (gruppo: INT vs. CON) X 2 (tempo:
pre- vs. post-test) separati.
RISULTATI: Abbiamo osservato evidenti effetti con significatività statistica tra i due gruppi relativi a BMI,
allungamenti, equilibrio, addominali in 30 secondi, sospensione a braccia flesse, corsa a navetta (10 x 5 metri) e
VO2max nella resistenza in 20 minuti con miglioramenti nettamente superiori per il gruppo INT. Non sono invece stati
riscontrati effetti significativi nel salto in lungo da fermo e nella forza statica delle braccia (sinistra-destra).
CONCLUSIONI: Il presente studio rivela che impartire un allenamento di kickboxing può migliorare benessere,
equilibrio, resistenza aerobica, flessibilità, forza statica delle braccia e la funzione velocità-agilità nei non atleti maschi.
PAROLE CHIAVE: Boxe; Forma fisica; Esercizio; Resistenza fisica; Forza muscolare
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!439!

!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECTS
!
!
Parents, educators, physicians, coaches, and
adolescents acknowledge and promote the health
benefits of regular physical activity in shaping
the lives of young people.1 Each year, roughly
3.2 million deaths occur due to inadequate
physical activity.2 Physical inactivity leads to
roughly one in every 10 deaths every year and it
is attributable to 6-10% of dominant non-
contagious diseases all around the world.3 Also,
the number of people with obesity has increased
a great deal in most European countries amid the
most recent two decades.4,5 Disregarding any
conflicting inherited aspects, if you are
physically active you boost your life expectancy.
Physical activity, at any age, keeps you safe
against a large number of chronic medical issues
including many types of cardiovascular diseases.
Researches demonstrate that if you accomplish
over 150 minutes of balanced physical
movement or one hour of dynamic physical
activity each week, it will decrease your danger
of coronary heart disease by around 30%.6 In
order to achieve these benefits (positive health
effects), a minimum amount of regular physical
activity of at least 60 minutes per day is
required. 6,7 Biddle, Kenneth and Boutcher8
described exercise as a subdivision of physical
activity which is voluntary, arranged, organized,
continuous and intended for development or
maintenance of a factor of fitness or wellbeing.
Participation in regular exercise is a determinant
of a number of psychological variables such as
positive effect and well-being.9 Cox10
emphasized that a high level of performance in
any human activity requires a certain amount of
concentration and attention and that athletes
should develop a highly refined ability to focus
and have characteristics of refocusing.
Historically developed from karate, Thai boxing
and western boxing, kickboxing is a combat
sport, generally done on foot for self-defense,
and is based on kicks and punches. Because of
its benefits for self-protection, increasing muscle
strength and keeping the body in shape, it has
drawn continuously increasing interest
worldwide.11 Performing kickboxing regularly
activates the major muscle groups, while it
promises development of balance, coordination
and self-esteem in an enjoyable fashion.11
Kickboxing training includes many elements such
as strength, balance and endurance training. That is
why male non-athletes have taken a great interest
in this sport in recent years. Possible beneficial
effects of kickboxing training on physical and
physiological function of male non-athletes are not
clear to date.
Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the
effects of a 16-week kickboxing training on
different physical fitness among adults. We
hypothesized that kickboxing training can lead to
improvements in general endurance, trunk strength
endurance, lower leg power, dynamic balance and
flexibility as well as well-being in adult men.
Material and methods!
Participants
The present study was designed as a two-armed
randomized controlled trial. 234 healthy non-
athletes men aged 21-23 (INT= 22.0 ± 1.2, CON=
21.9 ± 1.1) voluntarily participated (Table I).
Participants were randomly assigned to an
intervention (INT) (n:117) or control (CON) group
(n:117). All participants signed an informed
consent form prior to participation in the study
according to the Declaration of Helsinki. The study
was approved by the Sport Science Faculty of the
Gazi University of Ankara (Ethical clearance
number 24074710-1/25-Dec-17/617).
Table!I.!Means!and!standard!deviations!of!INT!and!CON!group!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Measurements
The physical fitness of the subjects was
examined with the standardized Eurofit Physical
Fitness Test Battery that was developed by the
Committee of Experts for Sports Research of the
Council of Europe.12 The Eurofit Special Test
Battery consists of test components (Table II)
measuring strength, muscle endurance, speed,
flexibility, and balance.13
!
Experimental Design
Participants were initially measured for
height(kg) and weight(m). Participants avoided
their own training or any other exercise or
activities for at least 48 hours before the
experiment.
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!440!
!
!!!!!!INT!
!(n!=!117)!
!!!!CON!!
(n!=!117)!
p!
Age!(years)!
22.0!±!1.2!
21.9!±!1.1!
0.33!
Height!(m)!
1.77!±!5.7!
1.76!±!4.5!
0.67!
Weight!(kg)!
72.9!±!7.9!
71.8!±!8.0!
0.94!
BMI!(kg!m−2)!
23.1!±!2.1!
23.2!±!2.5!
0.37!

!
!
!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECTS
!
!
Table II. Eurofit Test Components
Test!Component!
Measures!
Anthropometry!
Height,!weight,!BMI!
Flamingo!Balance!
test!
Single!leg!balance!!
Plate!Tapping!
Speed!of!limb!
movement!
Sit-and-Reach!
Flexibility!!
Standing!Broad!Jump!
Explosive!leg!power!
Handgrip!Test!
Static!arm!strength!
Sit-Ups!in!30!seconds!
Trunk!strength!
Bent!Arm!Hang!
Endurance/functional!
strength!
10!x!5-meter!Shuttle!
Run!
Running!speed!and!
agility!
20!m!endurance!
shuttle-run!!
Cardio!respiratory!
endurance!
The Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery
was applied 1 week before the start of
kickboxing training exercises and the results
were recorded. Kickboxing training was given
twice a week (Tuesday - Thursday), between
15:00-16:30 by a certified kickboxing training
instructor. A total amount of 32 training
sessions (70 min each) were practiced.
The attendance rate was 100%. Each of the
training sessions comprised a standardized
warm-up (30 minutes: from moderate running
and basic kickboxing training elements to
gymnastics and dynamic stretching), a main
kickboxing part (approx. 30 minutes) and a
cool-down period (10 minutes, moderate
running, lying down for relaxation). Kickboxing
training comprised straight punches,
roundhouse kicks, front kicks and sidekicks,
and defensive techniques using different forms
of steps combined with turns and jumps.
Training protocol was noncompetitive
kickboxing and full contact combat activity is
not included. The combination and complexity
of the tasks were progressively increased during
intervention. The typical kickboxing training
session was divided into 3 periods (Table III).
The first period was the warm-up, the second
one the main part and the third one the cool-
down. At the end of the 16-week kickboxing
training, the Eurofit Physical Fitness Test
Battery was repeated and the results were
recorded.
Vol. 72- No. 3
Training
Kickboxing training is comprised of (Table III):
• Straight punches
• Roundhouse kicks
• Front kicks and sidekicks
• Defensive techniques
• Using different forms of steps combined
with turns and jumps.
Table!III.!The!intervention!(Kickboxing!training)!program!
Phase!
Time!
(min)!
(sum)!
Technical! and! tactical! training!
content!
Weeks!1,2,3!
!
!
Warm-up!
30:00!
Jump!rope,!low!knee,!high!knee,!jump!
lunges,! jump! squats.! ligament!
protective!exercises!
Main!part!
30:00!
Equipment! introduction,! direct!
punch,! hook,! uppercut,! low! kick,!
roundhouse! kick,! front! kick! and! side!
kick!
Cool-down!
10:00!
Stretching!
Weeks!4,5,6!
!
!
Warm-up!
30:00!
Jump!rope,!low!knee,!high!knee,!jump!
lunges,!jump!squats,!ligament!
protective!exercises,!short!running!
Main!part!
30:00!
Basic! techniques! including! straight!
punches,! kicks! (roundhouse! kick,!
front! kick! and! sidekick)! and!
defensive! techniques! (slip! left,! right,!
lean! backwards! and! block/parry)!
using! different! forms! of! steps!
(forward,!back!and!sideways).!
Cool-down!
10:00!
Stretching!
Weeks!7,8,9!
!
!
Warm-up!
30:00!
Jump!rope,!low!knee,!high!knee,!jump!
lunges,! jump! squats,! ligament!
protective!exercises,!push-up!
Main!part!
30:00!
Techniques! workout,! punch!
combinations,!high! kick,! shadow-
boxing!
Cool-down!
10:00!
Stretching!
Weeks10,11,12!
!
!
Warm-up!
30:00!
Jump!rope,!low!knee,!high!knee,!jump!
lunges,! jump! squats,! ligament!
protective!exercises!
Main!part!
30:00!
Punch! and! kick! combinations,! back!
kick.! Sparring! drills:! Prearranged!
combat! using! techniques! alternating!
the!role!of!defending!or!attacking!
Cool-down!
10:00!
Stretching!
Weeks13,14,15!
!
!
Warm-up!
30:00!
Jump!rope,!low!knee,!high!knee,!jump!
lunges,! jump! squats,! ligament!
protective!exercises!
Main!part!
30:00!
Functional! workout,! sweet!
kickboxing,! shadow! sparring! using!
combined! offensive! and! defensive!
techniques! with! free! steps! at!
different!imaginary!targets.!
Cool-down!
10:00!
Stretching!
!
MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!441!

SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECTS
!
Table IV. Anthropometric (BMI), flexibility, jump performance (standing broad jump), sit-ups, bent arm hang, shuttle run (10 x 5
meter), endurance (20 m endurance), balance (flamingo test) and handgrip test data shown as mean and SD for the INT group and
CON group during pre- and post-testing (Before and After)!
!
!
Statistical analyses
Differences in the anthropometric baseline
data (Table 2) between the INT group and CON
group were tested by Student’s t-test. Paired
sample t-test was used in order to determine the
mean difference between pre- and post-test
values. In order to evaluate the time effect
between the two groups ( CON X
INT), differences in pre- and post-test values
were tested with univariate analyses of variance
(ANOVA) for each parameter. All dependent
parameters were analyzed by separate 2 (group:
INT vs. CON). The following scale was used
for the interpretation of the effect size: for
ANOVA, eta-squared (η2) values were
calculated to evaluate effect size (ES) and
interpreted using the criteria of large η2 > .14,
medium 06 < η2 < .14, and small η2 < .06. The
statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Results
For the BMI there was an effect of moment
(t116 = -1.546, p < 0.01), with lower values
post-test compared to pre-test in the kickboxing
group (Δ – 1.29%). The CON group remained
unchanged (Δ + 0.4%). An interaction effect
was also observed (F1,234 = 13.97, p < 0.01, η2
= 0.04), for the kickboxing group compared to
the control group (Table 4). For the sit-and-
reach there was an effect of moment (t116 = -
7.989, p < 0.01), with higher values post-test
compared to pre-test in the kickboxing group
(Δ + 12%). The CON group remained
unchanged (Δ – 1%).
An interaction effect was also observed (F1,234
= 40.70, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.14), for the
kickboxing group compared to the control
group (Table 4).
Sit-Ups values differed between moments, with
higher values post-test compared to pre-test in
the kickboxing group (t116 = -6.967, p < 0.01) (Δ
+ 8.7%) and CON group (t116 = -4.359, p < 0.01)
(Δ + 4.2%). An interaction effect was also
observed (F1,234 = 67.18, p < 0.05, η2 = 0.03), for
the kickboxing group compared to the control
group (Table 4). Bent Arm Hang values differed
between moments, with higher values post-test
compared to pre-test in the kickboxing group
(t116 = -2.383, p < 0.01) (Δ + 12%) and CON
group (t116 = -5.711, p < 0.01) (Δ + 4,1%). An
interaction effect was also observed (F1,234 =
8.48, p < 0.05, η2 = 0.03), for the kickboxing
group compared to the control group (Table 4).
For the Shuttle Run (10 x 5-meter), there was an
effect of moment (t116 = 5.130, p < 0.01), with
lower values post-test compared to pre-test in the
kickboxing group (Δ – 2,8%). The CON group
remained unchanged (Δ – 0.2%). An interaction
effect was also observed (F1,234 = 12.01, p < 0.01,
η2 = 0.04), for the kickboxing group compared to
the control group (Table 4). For the 20 m
endurance there was an effect of moment (t116 =
-6.559, p < 0.01), with higher values post-test
compared to pre-test in the kickboxing group (Δ
+ 7%). The CON group remained unchanged (Δ –
1.4%).
!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!442
Parameters Kickboxing group (n = 117) Control group (n = 117)
Before After Before After
BMI (kg/m2) 23.1 ± 2.1 22.8 ± 1.6*** a 23.2 ± 2.5 23.3 ± 1.9
Sit-and-Reach (cm) 37.1 ± 7.0 42.2 ± 6.4*** b 38.5 ± 6.3 38.1 ± 7.0
Sit-Ups in 30 seconds (rep) 23.9 ± 2.7 26.2 ± 2.5*** a 24.7 ± 2.9 25.8 ± 2.1***
Bent Arm Hang (sec) 45.7 ±15.9 52.2 ± 13.6*** a 51.0 ± 13.3 53.2 ± 9.6***
10 x 5 meter Shuttle Run (sec 20.8 ± 1.4 20.2 ± 1.3*** a 20.2 ± 1.0 20.1 ± 1.0
20 m endurance (ml/kg/min) 64.7 ±14.4 69.7 ± 13.7*** b 69.1 ± 14.0 68.1 ± 13.9
Flamingo Balance test (rep) 10.0 ± 3.9 07.0 ± 3.3*** b 09.6 ± 3.8 08.4 ± 3.8***
Plate Tapping (rep) 10.6 ± 1.2 10.4 ± 1.1* 09.7 ± 0.9 10.1 ± 4.6
Handgrip Test Right (kg) 51.0 ± 8.3 52.5 ± 8.0*** 51.1 ± 7.3 52.1 ± 6.4*
Handgrip Test Left (kg) 46.7 ± 6.9 48.5 ± 7.0*** 45.9 ± 6.4 46.7 ± 6.4*
Standing Broad Jump (cm) 185.1±19.1 196.1±18.6*** 191.2± 20.5 199.5±18.4***

!
!
!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECT!
!
An interaction effect was also observed (F1,234
= 32.46, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.12), for the
kickboxing group compared to the control
group(Table 4)
Balance values differed between moments,
with lower values post-test compared to pre-
test in the kickboxing group (t116 = 8.164, p <
0.01) (Δ - 30%) and CON group (t116 =
4.043, p < 0.01) (Δ – 12.5%). An interaction
effect was also observed (F1,234 = 15.14, p <
0.01, η2 = 0.06), for the kickboxing group
compared to the control group (Table 4). Hand
grip, plate tapping performance and standing
broad jump did not significantly change
between the kickboxing group and control
group (p > 0.05). During and after the 16-
week training period, no injuries affecting
the study were detected.
Discussion
Governments put physical activity and
fitness programs in action in order to reduce the
negative results of inactivity and obesity.
Physical activity is characterized as a physical
development that is delivered by contraction of
skeletal muscle and thus essentially boosts
energy use.14 Large scale studies have shown
that physical activity, at any age, helps you
become immune to a large number of chronic
diseases including several types of heart
disease. To obtain the desired effect, physical
activity should be continuous and at a specific
intensity. There are different physical activities
that people like doing in society. That is why
many fitness programs are practiced to diversify
activity times of sedentary individuals.
Entertaining, musical, rhythmical and group
activities such as Salsa, Zumba, spinning and
aerobic dance are practiced as health protection
activities. According to a study15, regular salsa
dance exercise develops static balance.
According to another study16, Zumba training
can be performed to increase fitness, health and
neuromuscular function in female college
students. At the basis of group fitness activities
for sedentary individuals lies the desire for
weight loss and having a better body shape. To!
our! knowledge,! there! is! not! a! great! deal! of!
research! that! investigates! the! effects! of!
kickboxing-based! group! training! on! aerobic!
fitness,! trunk! strength,! flexibility,! speed! and!
agility! as! well! as! balance! performance! in! male!
sedentary! (non-athlete)! adults.!The! present!
study! revealed! evidence! that! 16-week!
kickboxing! training! led! to! notable!increases! of!
cardiovascular!fitness,!trunk!strength!and!!
!
flexibility! as! well! as! speed! and! agility!
performance,! while! speed! of! limb! movement!
and! static! arm! strength! were! not! relevantly!
affected.!
Several!studies! have! been! conducted!in!various!
combat! sports! and! martial! arts,! in! order! to!
characterize! the! physiological! and!
anthropometric!profiles!of!athletes.17!!
BMI! is! considered! as! one! of! the!
fundamental! health! indicators.! BMI! is! a! useful!
measure! of! overweight! and! obesity.! BMI! is! an!
estimate! of! body! fat! and! a! good! gauge! of! your!
risk!for! diseases!that!can! occur!with!more! body!
fat.! Also,! BMI! is! a! standard! measure! that!
measures! the! connection! between! weight! and!
height!and!it!was! demonstrated!to!be!related!to!
the!danger!of!metabolic!disorders!among!young!
people.7!In! our! 16-week! study,! there! was! a!
significant!decrease!in!the!BMI!values!of!the!INT!
group!(Figure!1).!In!a!similar!kickboxing!study18!
with! 30! males! for! five! weeks,! a! significant!
decrease! was! observed! in! BMI! values.! Another!
study19!explained! that! Taekwondo! was!
suggested! as! an! exercise! model! for! weight!
control!and!fat!loss.!The! results! of! the! research!
of! Slimani! et! al.20! show! that! successful!
kickboxers!have!a!very!low!percentage!of!body!
fat!for!both!males!and!females.!According!to!the!
findings! obtained,! regular! kickboxing! exercise!
can!ensure!weight!control.!!
The findings of the present study revealed
that a 16-week kickboxing training resulted in
significant improvements in cardiorespiratory
endurance (Figure 2). It can be concluded that
constant and successive foot moves, jumps,
bendings, and punches had a positive contribution
to aerobic power during the kickboxing training,
which lasted 30 minutes twice a week with no aim
of competition. The results of the research of
Ouergui et al.21 have demonstrated that kickboxing
is an appropriate answer for developing
cardiorespiratory fitness. Similarly, in another
study with 30 males, it was observed that
kickboxing training contributed to the development
of aerobic power.18 In another study20, high-level
competitive kickboxers had highly developed
strength, anaerobic power and capacity as well as
aerobic power. However, in another study it was
shown that combat sports (e.g. taekwondo) did not
have an effect on the development of
cardiorespiratory fitness.22
!
!
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!443!

!
!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECT!
!
Another observation during the training
was the increase in trunk strength (8.7%) and
upper-body muscle power (12%). Despite the
explicit development in explosive leg power,
having no significant difference with the
participants in the control group made it
difficult to conclude that the kickboxing
training had a positive contribution to lower-
body muscle power (Figures 3,4). In another
study18, kickboxing training was found to
contribute to the development of upper-body
muscle power, whereas the effect on the
development of lower-body muscle power was
relatively less. Since punches are frequently
used and beginners tend to avoid kicks and
prefer punches instead, this can eventually
lead to higher development in the upper-body
muscle.
Another finding of the present study was
that kickboxing training can improve balance,
speed and agility (Figures 5,6). Speed and
agility have been characterized in kickboxers.20
This could be attributed to high frequency of
jump-overs and kicks during kickboxing
trainings. In order to take the right position
against their opponents, kickboxers do small
continuous jumps on their feet. In a similar 5-
week study, a 5.4% increase was found in the
speed and agility of the participants18.
Kickboxing is associated with continuous fast
stepping and movements which can be defined
by agility and velocity.21 It can be concluded
that the constant and successive foot moves,
jumps, bendings, and slips during the 16-week
training contributed positively to the speed and
agility of the participants.
According to another finding of the present
research, regular kickboxing trainees had a 12%
positive development in their flexibility skills
(Figure 7). Similarly, in their study, Ouergui et al.21
concluded that kickboxing training could improve
flexibility by 4%, which in turn contributes to the
development of joints. It can be concluded that
such an improvement in joints and muscles can
help avoid future injuries.There is a widespread
opinion that boxing and kickboxing could cause
injuries since punches and kicks are involved. A
study investigating high school students engaged in
intense physical activities concluded that there
could be serious injuries during training23.
Accordingly, most injuries occurred in football
(Inc. 4.4 per 1000 hours), volleyball (Inc. 3.9 per
1000 hours), and boxing/kickboxing (Inc. 3.7 per
1000 hours).
Obviously, boxing and kickboxing are in the
3rd rank of sport with most frequent injuries. In
our study, during and after the 16-week kickboxing
training with 117 participants, no injuries were
detected. During the 16-week training, under the
supervision of master trainers, participants had a
30-minute warm-up before the 30-minute main
part. Participants had obligatory 10-minute cooling
exercises after each training session. A participant
had a total of 16 hours of main-part training
throughout the 16 weeks. Having no injuries could
be due to the fact that training was confined to 30
minutes, the program was designed from soft to
hard activities, and the participants were always
supervised by master trainers. Besides, during the
16-week training period, full-contact combat
activity was not included in the training protocol.
This could have prevented the possible neurologic
consequences of repeated head traumas.
Medium-level exercises and intensive
training are expected to extend the length of life.
Conversely, it may be considered that deliberate
and constant blows on an athlete’s head in boxing
and kickboxing may curtail one’s length of life
because of brain damage. However, in a research
study, Bianco et al.,. investigating 715 advanced-
level baseball, ice hockey, tennis, football, boxing,
track and field athletes and boxers born between
the years of 1860 and 1930 suggested an average
life span of 76 years, with boxers (73 years) having
the shortest, swimmers (74 years) having the
second shortest and tennis players (79 years)
having the third shortest life spans, and concluded
that there was no relationship between type of
sport and change in the length of life24. In other
words, boxers and kickboxers are expected to have
long lengths of life like other athletes in various
sports. Moreover, in kickboxing training involving
Zumba and spinning to have better physical fitness,
since there are no deliberate blows to the head,
there will be no cases of brain traumas or injuries
for the athletes.
On the other hand, the positive
psychological effects of kickboxing should not be
ignored. The results of the research of Slimani et
al.20 revealed that the most successful athletes were
more confident, used relaxation strategies, self-
talk, imagery, attentional control and emotional
control more frequently, and pursued a
performance-approach goal more and a
performance-avoidance goal less. In terms of
application, this result contributes to the
identification of the most efficient mental skills.25!
!
!
!
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!444!
!
!
!

!
!
!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECT!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!!
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!445!
!
!
!
!
!
!

!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECT!
!
!
!
!
Conclusions
As a result of the present study and similar studies in
the literature, kickboxing exercises seem to be not only a
method for self-defense or competition but also important
and useful for physical fitness, specifically, for
cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscle
strength, flexibility, balance, speed, power and coordination
among young adults. In particular, kickboxing and boxing
can be utilized to create healthier young adults during their
school life. In this way, physical education teachers and
fitness instructors might recommend kickboxing both as a
beneficial form of exercise for fitness and for the prevention
of injuries by increasing muscle flexibility.
Practical applications
In creating a healthy society, kickboxing training with
no aim of competition can be considered as an alternative to
salsa, Zumba, spinning, and aerobics, which are opted for
among modern-day physical fitness choices.
Additionally, since kickboxing training can be
implemented by positioning many athletes in columns and
rows with specific rhythm and commands, it can be
considered as an affordable and effective solution to
collective sport activity needs in boarding schools and
schools training soldiers and police officers.
!
!
!
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!446!

!
!
!
!
SENDURAN THE EFFECTS OF A SIXTEEN-WEEK KICKBOXING TRAINING PERIOD ON PHYSİCAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG MALE SUBJECT!
!
!
!
References/Bibliografia!
!1) Steward KJ, Peredo AR, Williams CM.
Physiological and morphological factors
associated with successful fencing per-
formance. J Hum Erg 1997;6:53-60.!
2) Tsolakis C, Kostaki E, Vagenas G. An-
thropometric, flexibility, strength-power,
and sport-specific correlates in elite fenc-
ers. Percept Motor Skills 2010;110:1015-
28.!
3) Sannicandro I, Piccinno A, Cataleta R,
Maffione S, De Pascalis E. The fencing
lunge: analysis of lead distribution to the
lower limbs and gender-related differenc-
es in young fencers in relation to accident
prevention. Med Sport 2010;63:353-64.!
4) Yiou E, Do MC. In fencing does inten-
sive practice equally improve the speed
performance of the touché when it is per-
formed alone and in combination with
lunge? I J Sport Med 2000;21:122-6.!
5) Williams LR, Walmsley A. Response
amendment in fencing: difference be-
tween elite and novice subjects. Percept
Motor Skills 2006;91:131-42.!
6) Borysiuk Z. Complex evaluation of
fencers predisposition in three stages of
sport development. B Sport 2006;23:41-
53.!
7) Borysiuk Z. The significance of sen-
sorimotor response components and
EMG signals depending on stimuli type
in fencing. Acta Uni Palackianae Olomuc
Gymnica 2008;38:43-51.!
8) Raczek J, Mynarski W, Ljach W. De-
veloping and diagnosing of co-ordination!
motor abilities, Katowice: AWF Press;!
2002.!
9) Raczek J, Mynarski W, Ljach W. Teo-
retyczno-empiryczne podstawy kształto-
wania i diagnozowania koordynacyjnych
zdolności!motorycznych. Studia!nad!
motorycznością ludzką, Katowice: AWF!
Press; 1998.!
10) Gierczuk D, Lyakh W, Gierczuk A.
Changes in the level of coordination
motor abilities in greco-roman wrestlers
aged 12-19. Kinesiol 2012;58:75-85.!
11) Torun V, Ince G, Durgun B. The ef-
fects of basic fencing studies and veloc-
ity training on reaction time in the 9- 12
year-old beginners of fencing. Sport Sci
2012;5:59-66.!
12) Gronek P, Holdys J. Genes and phys-
ical fitness. Trends in Sport Sci 2013;1:16-
29.!
13) Laborde S, You M, Dosseville F, Sali-
nas A. Cultural, individual differences,
and situation: Influence on coping in
French and Chinese table tennis players.
E J Sport Sci 2012;12:255-61.!
14) Ashker SE. Technical performance
effectiveness subsequent to complex mo-
tor skills training in young boxers. E J
Sport Sci 2012;475-84.!
15) Rynkiewicz T. Struktura zdolności
motorycznych oraz jej globalne i lokalne
przejawy, Poznań: AWF Press; 2003.!
16) Wilczyński J. Body posture and the
time of a simple reaction on the visual
stimulus measured among girls and
boys aged 14 to 16. P J Sports Med
2006;22:317-22.!
17) Ljach W. Kształtowanie zdolności
motorycznych dzieci i młodzieży, Warsza-
wa: COS; 2003.!
18) Hirtz P, Starosta W. Kierunki badań
koordynacji ruchowej w sporcie. Kinesiol
1991;5:69-82.!
19) Domaradzki J, Ignasiak Z. Differenc-
es in some selected co-ordination skills of
young boys and girls – Vienna Test Sys-
tem results. Kinesiol 2009;45:83-7.!
20) Nuri L, Shadmehr A, Ghotbi N, Moghad-
am B. Reaction time and anticipatory skill of
athletes in open and closed skill-dominated
sport. E J Sport Sci 2013;13:431-6.!
21) Borysiuk Z, Petryński W, Cynarski
WJ. Reaction time, movement time and
EMG signals as indicators of anticipa-
tion processes in elite fencers. Kinesiol
2010;51:15-24.!
22) Mehlich R, Iskra J, Waśkiewicz Z. A
possibility of using the Viennese Testing
System in assessing hurdlers’ rhythmiza-
tion abilities. Rozprawy Naukowe AWF
Wrocław, 2007;25:119-24.!
23) Zwierko T. Differences in peripheral
perception between athletes and nonath-
letes. J Human Kinet 2008;9:53-62.!
24) Turosz MA, Sadowski J, Graczyk M.
Diversity and intercorrelations between
coordination skills and psychological
variables during preparatory and start-
ing periods in national team rowers. P J
Sports Med 2007;23:149-54.!
25) Baur H, Muller S, Hirschmuller A,
Huber G, Mayer F. Reactivity, stability, and
strength performance capacity in motor
sports. B J Sports Med 2006;40:906-11.!
!
Conflicts of interest.—The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the
material discussed in the manuscript.!
Received on December 20, 2018. - Accepted for publication on May 15, 2019.!
Corresponding author: F. Senduran, Department of Sport, Turkish National Defence University NCO School,
Balıkesir. E-mail: fsenduran@yahoo.com!
!
!
Vol. 67 - No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!381
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Vol. 72- No. 3!MEDICINA DELLO SPORT!445!
!
This document is protected by international copyright laws. No additional reproduction is authorized. It is permitted for personal use to download
and
save
only one
file
and print only one copy of this Article. It is not permitted to make
additional
copies!
(either sporadically or systematically, either printed or electronic) of the Article for any purpose. It is not permitted to distribute the electronic copy of the article through online internet and/or intranet file sharing systems, electronic mailing or any other!
means which may allow access to the Article.The use of all or any part of the Article for any Commercial Use is not permitted.The creation of derivative works from the Article is not permitted.The production of reprints for personal or commercial use is!
not permitted. It is not permitted to remove, cover, overlay, obscure, block, or change any copyright notices or terms of use which the Publisher may post on
the
Article. It is not permitted to frame or use framing techniques
to enclose any trademark, logo,!
or other proprietary information of the Publisher.!