The achievement of high performance levels in a complex structured sport such as karate is determined by the competitor’s physical fitness, fighting technique, tactics and mental state. This study aimed to identify the most important determinants of top-level performance in karate. Methods: The participants were 32 karate competitors (12 women and 20 men) aged 18–25 years. A series of tests measuring 11 anthropometric features was undertaken twice during a year, separated by a 6-week interval during a training camp at the Olympic Preparation Center in Walcz, Poland. Motor skills were measured with strength, speed, endurance, flexibility and reaction time tests. Special motor fitness was assessed with tests of karate technical skills. The results were subject to statistical analysis using multiple stepwise regression of the Polish Karate Federation ranking points as the dependent variable. Results: The multiple regression analysis revealed two main determinants of high scores in female and male karate competitors. In women, these were thigh circumference and the speed of the mawashi-geri-kick roundhouse technique (i.e., the maximum number of delivered kicks in 30 s), whilst for men they were the extent of the sideway leg swing to the highest possible height (yoko-geri) and general endurance assessed with the bent arm hang test. Conclusion: Karate training should account for the determinants of high-level competitive karate performance identified in this study. Strengthening the lower limbs, exercises increasing hip joint mobility, low position movements, performing leg techniques in various planes and applying external loads undoubtedly increase a karate athlete’s strength and lead to the development of a more extensive repertoire of karate leg techniques, especially at the highest-scoring head level (jodan).
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the isokinetic characteristics of knee extensors and flexors with selected motor abilities: Speed, agility, and explosive power of lower extremities of professional football players in the preparation period of a yearly training cycle. Twenty-one players (age: 24.5 ± 3.9 years; body mass: 76.7 ± 4.7 kg and body height: 183.5 ± 5.5 cm) playing in the highest Polish soccer league participated in the study. The isokinetic concentric torque of the knee extensors and flexors was measured at 300°/s, 180°/s, and 60°/s velocities. Sprint performance was assessed in the 30 m sprint test (standing start). The forward, lateral, and backward movements were assessed using the T-Test of agility. Explosive power was quantified by performing the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ), using the force platform. Due to sport-specific demands of soccer activities measured in this experiment, the relationships between peak torque (PT) and the 30 m sprint, T-Test of agility, and power of vertical jumps (SJ and CMJ) were low or medium at speeds of 60°/s and 300°/s. One of the main reasons for the lack of high dependence of the above-mentioned factors are that the measurements were performed during the initial training period where the level of individual abilities is at a low level. Additionally, this experiment may also indicate that the measurement of isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak is effective when performed at the correct angular velocity in relation to the evaluation of the intended motion structure.
The aim of the work was to assess the intensity of purine nucleotide degradation during maximum physical exercise. 5 elite female boxers were the subject of the study. Each of them underwent two exercise stress tests in order to evaluate the level of V̊ O 2peak and the level of anaerobic capacity during a Wingate test. The study involved collecting capillary and venous blood samples at rest and after the exercise test to determine the Acid-Base Balance (ABB), concentration of lactic acid (LA) and purine metabolism nucleotides. The average value of V̊ O 2peak was 40.92 (SD = 4.087) ml/kg/min, the average anaerobic capacity Ppeak was 7.57 (SD = 0.380) Watt/kg. The workload resulted in significant changes in the level of ABB and LA after both of the exercise stress tests (p < 0.001). Concentrations of hypoxanthine (Hx), xanthine (X) and uric acid (UA) in the blood increased significantly after the Wingate test (p < 0.05). The level of plasma purine nucleotides at rest and after standard exercise may be a useful tool for monitoring the adaptation of energetic processes in different training phases and support the overload diagnosis.
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