This study aims to compare the effect of sprint distance and repetition number on performance, physiological responses, and energy systems contributions. Eighteen male university league soccer players (age: 19.9 ± 1.6 years, height: 177.9 ± 4.7 cm, body mass: 72.4 ± 6.3 kg, percentage body fat: 8.9 ± 1.8, training experience: 7.4 ± 1.6 years) completed two different repeated sprint protocols: 20 × 20 m (20 × 20) and 10 × 40 m (10 × 40) with 15s and 30s rest intervals, respectively. Oxygen uptake (VO2) were measured during the rest, exercise, and recovery phases. Rest and peak blood lactate concentrations were determined. Using VO2 and lactate values, the energy system contributions were calculated using a mono-exponential model and mathematical calculations. Energy systems contributions and total energy expenditure (TEE) were calculated both for the entire protocol (overall) and for the sprints only. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), peak and mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly higher in the 20 × 20 whereas lactate response was higher in the 10 × 40. TEE was similar between the 10 × 40 (586.3 ± 60.8 kJ) and 20 × 20 (595.6 ± 57.5 kJ). For overall estimations, the 10 × 40 and 20 × 20 presented similar results of oxidative (47.5 ± 5.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.1 kJ min−1) and phosphagen (44.7 ± 5.4 vs (42.9 ± 4.8 kJ min−1) systems contributions whereas glycolytic contribution was higher in the 10 × 40 (15.5 ± 2.2 vs 12.8 ± 2.3 kJ min−1). For sprints only estimation, the phosphagen (257.6 ± 31.5 vs 225.2 ± 28.2 kJ min−1), glycolytic (89.4 ± 13.4 vs 67.3 ± 12.5 kJ min−1), and oxidative (76.9 ± 6.9 vs 72.0 ± 7.9 2 kJ min−1) systems contributions were higher in the 10 × 40. Although HR and RPE responses were higher in the 20 × 20, phosphagen (during sprints) and glycolytic (during both sprints and overall protocol) were higher in the 10 × 40 protocol. Therefore, the 10 × 40 protocol seems more reasonable for developing or evaluating the anaerobic systems.

Purpose: This study investigated the test-retest reliability and discriminant validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KAST) and established a comparison with the maximal cycling sprint test (MCST). Methods: Forty-two male kickboxing athletes (18 elite and 24 sub-elite) participated in this study. Kickboxers performed the tests in both single and multiple forms. The KAST_single was composed of kicks and punches, performed as quickly as possible until 5 reps of a 4 techniques’ combination (i.e., straight left punch, right-roundhouse kick, straight right punch, and left-roundhouse kick) were completed. The MCST_single was composed by a single 6-s maximal effort. The KAST_multiple was performed using 5 sequential sets of the single form following a 10s rest interval between sets. The MCST_multiple was performed using 5 × 6 s repeated cycling efforts with 10s rest intervals. The tests and retests were carried out on separate occasions. To establish the test’s discriminatory capability, elite and sub-elite athletes were compared. Results: All tests’ performance scores showed excellent relative and absolute reliability (ICC > 0.900, SEM ≤ 0.98 s for KASTs and ≤ 0.74 W•kg⁻¹ for MCST tests). Significant correlations between the identical versions were “large” (r > 0.70). Receiving operating characteristic analyses indicated that the KASTs and cycling tests were able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite kickboxers. Additionally, the findings showed that KAST_single, MCST_single, KAST_multiple, and MCST_multiple correctly classified the groups by 78.6%, 73.6%, 88.1%, and 78.6%, respectively. Conclusions: This study supported the test-retest reliability and the discriminant validity of the KAST_single and KAST_multiple to evaluate kickboxing athletes.

Çeviklik sportif performansı etkileyen en önemli belirleyicilerden birisidir. Çeviklik, uyarana karşı tepki olarak verilen, tüm vücudun katılımını gerektiren, hızlı hareket edebilme, dengeyi koruma ve yön değiştirme gibi becerileri uyumlu bir şekilde gerçekleştirebilme yeteneği olarak tanımlanabilir. Çeviklik, diğer sportif becerilere göre daha karmaşık bir yapıya sahiptir. Bu kavramın içeriği, geliştirilmesi, ölçülmesi ve değerlendirilmesi konusunda birçok farklı görüş ortaya koyulmuştur. Çeviklik, eskiden yön değiştirme ve sürat gibi becerileri içeren, önceden planlanmış etkinlikler şeklinde değerlendirilirken, güncel çalışmalarda algılama ve karar verme gibi bilişsel faktörlerin çeviklik kavramının temelindeki unsurları oluşturdukları vurgulanmaktadır. Çeviklik performansı ile ilgili tanımlamalar ve değerlendirmeler spora özgü farklılıklar içerebilmektedir. Ayrıca çeviklik becerisini ölçmek için birçok farklı çeviklik testi geliştirilmiştir, ancak bu testlerin geçerliği, süresi, mesafesi ve tasarımı hakkında kabul görmemiş bazı hususlar vardır. Bunun yanında çeviklik performansının spor başarısındaki önemi herkes tarafından kabul görse de, geliştirilmesi konusunda yeterli sayıda bilgi mevcut değildir. Bu sebeple bu çalışmanın amacı çeviklik kavramını tüm yönleriyle ele almak ve güncel çalışmalar ışığında konuyla ilgili değişen yaklaşımları incelemektir. Sonuç olarak, çeviklik performansının geliştirilmesine yönelik alternatif antrenman yöntemi arayışları devam ederken, ölçme ve değerlendirme için de bütün bileşenlerin dahil edildiği yeni test yöntemleri geliştirmek için çalışmalar sürmektedir.

The particular responsibility of referees in combat sports lies in their decision-making to enforce the rules of the sport, which requires considerable experience and a multitude of skills, including perception, categorization, memory processing, and information integration. As a cost-effective alternative to in-tournament training, this research aims to evaluate the novel video-based serious game called “JudgED” to train martial arts referees’ decision-making processes through immediate feedback. The effectiveness of the JudgED game was assessed by (a) measuring decision accuracy and specific reaction time, (b) calculating a theoretical probability of correct scoring, and (c) comparing these results with real competition judging agreement data. A field study was conducted to analyze the performance of 16 kickboxing referees. The study involved two video-based tests in the serious game. The performance data for JudgED were obtained via a procedure that compares the players’ inputs in the serious game with expert-defined decisions. The results were compared to real-competition data gathered through qualitative analysis of kickboxing fights (n = 400 fights/1200 bouts) at the WAKO World Championships 2021. The findings showed an average decision accuracy of 43.011% and an average reaction time of 1.022 s. For further comparison, binominal distribution for the probability of correct final decisions (between 15.3% and 67.2%) in JudgED and Fleiss’ Kappa interrater reliability for JudgED (Ring: $\kappa$ = 0.371; Tatami: $\kappa$ = 0.398; p < 0.001) and tournament decisions (by bout: $\kappa$ = 0.114; by fight $\kappa$ = 0.063; by outcome $\kappa$ = 0.166; p < 0.001) were calculated. The results suggest that more training is required to improve referee decision accuracy, and JudgED bears the potential to work as a suitable supporting system.

This study aimed to investigate the energy pathway contributions and physiological and performance responses between a 10 × 6-second intermittent sprint test (IST) and a 60-second single maximal test (SMT). Seventeen highly trained male Greco-Roman wrestlers participated in this study. Participants completed the 60-second upper-body Wingate tests, both intermittent and single forms. The contributions of the oxidative, glycolytic, and ATP-PCr pathways were estimated using mathematical methods based on lactate values and oxygen consumption kinetics of rest, exercise, and recovery phases. The main findings indicated that total energy expenditure (TEE) and the contribution of oxidative, glycolytic, and ATP-PCr pathways were 514 kJ, 45%, 11%, and 44% for IST (overall: sprints + rest intervals); 333 kJ, 14%, 17%, and 69% for IST (sprints only); and 159 kJ, 31%, 38%, and 31% for SMT, respectively. TEE and ATP-PCR pathway contributions were higher in the IST (both overall and sprint only), whereas glycolytic pathway contribution and delta lactate were higher in the SMT. Absolute oxidative contribution was similar, but relative oxidative contribution was higher in the SMT. Additionally, mean power was higher in the IST than SMT, whereas peak power, peak and mean heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion were similar.

BACKGROUND: Based on recent research, slight performance differences, particularly dependent on the state of recovery, might be crucial for tournament success among elite-caliber kickboxers. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to; a) determine which strength-power tests could discriminate better between elite and top-elite kickboxers and, b) to evaluate changes in testing results between fatigued and well-rested athletes. METHODS: Twenty-two international kickboxers (including World and European Champions) volunteered to participate in this study. Nine kickboxers were assigned to the top-elite group and 13 to the elite group based on their highest tournament achievements. Subjects performed the Wingate test (Win) for anaerobic power; countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) for neuromuscular power; push-ups and pull-ups for strength endurance; squats (SQ) and bench press (BP) for maximal dynamic strength; handgrip, leg, and back strength for isometric strength after full rest, following the fatigue and advanced fatigue protocols. RESULTS: Discriminant function analysis correctly classified the groups at 60.5%, 75.3%, and 86.3% in the resting, fatigue, and advanced fatigue protocols, respectively. Furthermore, all strength-power performances have significantly decreased and lactatepeak increased (p< 0.05) after the fatigue and advanced fatigue protocols in both groups. Significant interaction were also observed in the Winpeak (p< 0.001, ηp2= 0.559), Winmean (p= 0.009, ηp2= 0.246), CMJ (p= 0.010, ηp2= 0.273), push-ups (p< 0.001, ηp2= 0.389), SQabsolute (p= 0.001, ηp2= 0.337), BPabsolute (p= 0.014, ηp2= 0.235) and, Lactatepeak (p= 0.026, ηp2= 0.220). CONCLUSION: Resistance to fatigue may be the key component for distinguishing elite-level athletes. Thus, strength-power tests should be performed following a certain level of fatigue for the elite athletes due to distinguish them more effectively.