Evidence-Based Functional Training to Improve Front Push Kick Technique, Speed, and Net Force Production

Abstract

Kicking is an essential skill for combat athletes and military personnel. Therefore, the aim of this article is to present evidence-based training principles to achieve beneficial changes in technique and performance through functional training. The profile of subelite and elite kickers is presented and is used as a foundation for exercise prescription in both populations. The article emphasizes the importance of combining both functional training with a core emphasis and traditional general strength preparation to improve all aspects of front push kick performance. Example training programs for both subelite and elite kickers are presented that are based on a block periodization approach.

Postactivation Potentiation for Muay Thai Kicking Performance

“…The latter aspect is critical and creates a substantial obstacle because competitors frequently compete at their lightest feasible body mass to battle against opponents of lesser mass (26). Research analyzing sport-specific kinematics of kicks (10,27) has enhanced coaches ability to identify the most effective exercises to generate increased force output, improving performance, compared with traditional training methods (25).…”

“…The Teep kick (front push kick) also has similar efficacy; being one of the most used techniques in Muay Thai for attacking and countering attacks from the opponent, showing benefits from increasing competitors kicking performance impact power (14,19,22). Vagner et al (27) identified the Teep kick to be highly effective in close quarter combat, and the need for increased destructive impact was key to successful performances.…”

“…The fundamental goal of the suggested kicking method is to transfer energy from the hip to the foot by maintaining a proximodistal movement pattern that couples the dynamic sequence of the trunk, hip, knee, ankle, and foot (10). The dynamic result of the kick is influenced by the sum of their body's effective mass, linear velocity, and angular velocity; therefore, the kinematic chain's coordination is essential for assuring the efficacy of the kick technique (27). The amount of transferred momentum or energy determines the magnitude of the kick impact, the greatest force, and impulse that are projected into the target during the kick, which are included in the dynamics of kicking (22,27).…”

“…The dynamic result of the kick is influenced by the sum of their body's effective mass, linear velocity, and angular velocity; therefore, the kinematic chain's coordination is essential for assuring the efficacy of the kick technique (27). The amount of transferred momentum or energy determines the magnitude of the kick impact, the greatest force, and impulse that are projected into the target during the kick, which are included in the dynamics of kicking (22,27).…”

“…The hamstrings have an impact on the lower limb's acceleration and velocity just before making contact with the target, demonstrating the significance of intersegmental linkages in producing the greatest kick force. The core stabilizes the body position before knee extension, which helps to increase the kick's high impulse (27). Identifying methods that increase a kick's impact force, that can be transmuted through the core to the striking limbs, would be a beneficial approach to winning performances in combat sports such as boxing and Muay Thai (8).…”