Technical–tactical analysis of small combat games in male kickboxers: effects of varied number of opponents and area size

Abstract

Background To handle the competition demands, sparring drills are used for specific technical–tactical training as well as physical–physiological conditioning in combat sports. While the effects of different area sizes and number of within-round sparring partners on physiological and perceptive responses in combats sports were examined in previous studies, technical and tactical aspects were not investigated. This study investigated the effect of different within-round sparring partners number (i.e., at a time; 1 vs. 1, 1 vs. 2, and 1 vs. 4) and area sizes (2 m × 2 m, 4 m × 4 m, and 6 m × 6 m) variation on the technical–tactical aspects of small combat games in kickboxing. Method Twenty male kickboxers (mean ± standard deviation, age: 20.3 ± 0.9 years), regularly competing in regional and national events randomly performed nine different kickboxing combats, lasting 2 min each. All combats were video recorded and analyzed using the software Dartfish. Results Results showed that the total number of punches was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 (p = 0.011, d = 0.83). Further, the total number of kicks was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 and 1 versus 2 (p < 0.001; d = 0.99 and d = 0.83, respectively). Moreover, the total number of kick combinations was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 and 1 versus 2 (p < 0.001; d = 1.05 and d = 0.95, respectively). The same outcome was significantly lower in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m and 6 m × 6 m areas (p = 0.010 and d = − 0.45; p < 0.001 and d = − 0.6, respectively). The number of block-and-parry was significantly higher in 1 versus 4 compared with 1 versus 1 (p < 0.001, d = 1.45) and 1 versus 2 (p = 0.046, d = 0.61) and in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m and 6 × 6 m areas (p < 0.001; d = 0.47 and d = 0.66, respectively). Backwards lean actions occurred more often in 2 m × 2 m compared with 4 m × 4 m (p = 0.009, d = 0.53) and 6 m × 6 m (p = 0.003, d = 0.60). However, the number of foot defenses was significantly lower in 2 m × 2 m compared with 6 m × 6 m (p < 0.001, d = 1.04) and 4 m × 4 m (p = 0.004, d = 0.63). Additionally, the number of clinches was significantly higher in 1 versus 1 compared with 1 versus 2 (p = 0.002, d = 0.7) and 1 versus 4 (p = 0.034, d = 0.45). Conclusions This study provides practical insights into how to manipulate within-round sparring partners' number and/or area size to train specific kickboxing technical–tactical fundamentals. Trial registration This study does not report results related to health care interventions using human participants and therefore it was not prospectively registered.

Main research areas in kickboxing investigations: an analysis of the scientific articles of the Web of Science Core Collection

“…The most sought-after authors in the field of kickboxing work in this direction. The results of the study [14] sports is a simple and effective method of research. It was used to assess the frequency of rule violations and the possible impact on performance [15].…”

“…The series of studies by Ouergui et al [14,20,21] was devoted to the analysis of the time structure of fights in kickboxing. The results confirm the intermittent nature of kickboxing competition.…”

Comparison of Head Strike Incidence under K1 Rules of Kickboxing with and without Helmet Protection—A Pilot Study

“…Kickboxing is a combat sport that involves physical confrontation between two athletes [ 1 , 2 ]. It presents many variations in competitions with divisions of the range of techniques used and of the force of their execution [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Comparison of the Physical Fitness Profile of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes with Reference to Training Experience

“…Diagnosis and testing of physical fitness in sports are of great importance to the selection and control of progress in the training process [ 1 , 4 , 7 ]. In combat sports, sports career and training depend on comprehensive motor fitness including muscle strength, endurance, and speed, which results primarily from an above-average level of development of coordination and flexibility skills and strength–velocity and strength–endurance interactions that affect the comprehensive physical and mental development of athletes [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 8 ]. In recent years, several authors representing various research centers have focused on investigating the motor skills in combat sports such as kickboxing [ 2 , 9 , 10 ], jiu-jitsu [ 11 ], karate [ 12 ], Olympic taekwondo [ 13 , 14 ], judo [ 15 ], and wrestling [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…In recent years, several authors representing various research centers have focused on investigating the motor skills in combat sports such as kickboxing [ 2 , 9 , 10 ], jiu-jitsu [ 11 ], karate [ 12 ], Olympic taekwondo [ 13 , 14 ], judo [ 15 ], and wrestling [ 16 , 17 ]. Researchers are increasingly attempting to identify indicators of technical and tactical skills in various combat sports [ 8 , 18 , 19 ], the degree of physiological reactions during the fight [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and biomechanics of movement [ 24 , 25 ]. The literature review, however, shows a lack of studies comparing two separate combat sports characterized by different rules and specifics of the fights that are gaining popularity in the international arena.…”