The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the studies centered on the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS [i.e., boxing, fencing, judo, karate, taekwondo, wrestling]) on older adults’ physical-functional, physiological, and psychoemotional health status. The review comprised randomised-controlled trials with OCS interventions, including older adults (>60 years), and measures of physical-functional, physiological, and/or psychoemotional health. The studies were searched through SCOPUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and EBSCO databases until 5 January 2021. The PRISMA-P and TESTEX scales were used to assess the quality of the selected studies. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42020204034). Twelve OCS intervention studies were found (scored ≥60% for methodological quality), comprising 392 females and 343 males (mean age: 69.6 years), participating in boxing, judo, karate, and taekwondo. The qualitative analysis revealed that compared to controls, OCS training improved muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, agility, balance, movement, attention, memory, mental health, anxiety, and stress tolerance. Meta-analysis was available only for the chair stand test, and an improvement was noted after OCS training compared to control. In conclusion, OCS interventions improves older adults’ physical-functional, physiological, and psychoemotional health. Our systematic review confirms that OCS training has high adherence (greater than 80%) in older adults.

The aim of this research was to compare the effects of a technique-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol vs. traditional taekwondo training on physical fitness and body composition in taekwondo athletes, as well as to analyse the inter-individual response. Utilising a parallel controlled design, sixteen male and female athletes (five females and 11 males) were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) that participated in the technique-specific HIIT and a control group (CG) that participated in traditional taekwondo training. Both groups trained three days/week for four weeks. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-metre sprint (5M), 20-metre shuttle run (20MSR), taekwondo specific agility test (TSAT), multiple frequency speed of kick test (FSKTMULT), total kicks, and kick decrement index (KDI), as well as body composition were evaluated. Results indicate that there are no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the factors group and time factor and group by time interaction (p > 0.05). Although percentage and effect size increases were documented for post-intervention fitness components in TSAT, total kicks, KDI, and 20MSR, responders and non-responders were also documented. In conclusion, a HIIT protocol based on taekwondo-specific technical movements does not report significant differences in fitness and body composition compared to traditional taekwondo training, nor inter-individual differences between athletes.

Resumen. Antecedentes: El karate es un deporte intervalado de alta-intensidad con características aeróbicas y anaeróbicas, la velocidad y la fuerza explosiva son habilidades físicas determinantes para los atletas de karate durante el combate. Problema y objetivo: El principal objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la relación del Movement change in karate position Test “MKUKS” con el rendimiento neuromuscular medido a través de pruebas de salto en atletas de karate categoría junior. Métodos: Una muestra de 10 atletas de karate, distribuidos en 4 hombres (edad:17.3 ± 2.1 años; masa corporal: 69.0 ± 15.8 kg; talla: 1.74 ± 0.04 m) y 6 mujeres (edad: 17.3 ± 1.6 años; masa corporal: 57.9 ± 2.5 kg; talla: 1.59 ± 0.04 m), pertenecientes a la selección chilena categoría junior fue evaluada. Resultados: Observamos una correlación entre el MKUKS con el salto largo bilateral (r = -.68, p = .03), squat jump (r = -.65, p = .04), el salto contramovimiento (r = -.70, p = .02), y salto contramovimiento con brazos (r = -.68, p = .03). Conclusiones: La prueba MKUKS se relaciona significativamente con el rendimiento neuromuscular en atletas de karate. Abstract. Background: Karate is a high intensity interval sport with aerobic and anaerobic characteristics, velocity and explosive strength are crucial physical abilities for karate athletes during the combat. Problem and Aim: The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship of the Movement change in karate position Test “MKUKS” with the neuromuscular performance measured through jump tests in karate athletes junior category Methods: A team of 10 karate athletes, distributed in 4 men (age: 17.3 ± 2.1 years; body mass: 69.0 ± 15.8 kg; height: 1.74 ± 0.04 m) and 6 women (age: 17.3 ± 1.6 years; body mass: 57.9 ± 2.5 kg; height: 1.59 ± 0.04 m), belonging to the Chilean national junior team was evaluated. Results: We observed a correlation between the MKUKS with the bilateral long jump (r = -.68, p = .03), squat jump (r = -.65, p = .04), countermovement jump (r = -. 70, p = .02), and countermovement jump with arms (r = -.68, p = .03). Conclusions: MKUKS is significantly related to neuromuscular performance in karate athletes.