The effects of a sixteen-week kickboxing training period on physical and physiological characteristics of young male subjects

Abstract

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.CONCLUSIONS: 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.