ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP24
INTRODUCTION: To improve taekwondo-specific fitness assessments, a simulation was developed using competition notational analysis and expert coach input. This study aimed to assess reliability and concurrent validity of a simulated taekwondo fitness test. METHODS: Elite international level taekwondo athletes (n=5 male, n=6 female, age: 21.8±5.3years, body mass: 68.8±11.5kg) across 10 weight categories (Male; -58kg, -68kg, -80kg, -87kg, Female; -46kg, -53kg, -57kg, -67kg -73kg, K44+65kg) completed the test twice, one week apart. The test comprised 3x3min20s standardised rounds, each with 8 blocks (15s work:10s rest) and 60s rest between-rounds. Athletes performed a set of 8 kicks per block, totalling 192 kicks overall on a freestanding kicking dummy. Following the third rest period, athletes were instructed to kick the dummy maximally for 30s (30s-max) utilising any kicks. Number of scored kicks and average kick power were measured via the Daedo protective scoring system; heart rate (HR) was measured continuously, with blood lactate concentration (BLa) and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) via the CR100 scale collected at the end of each round. Reliability was quantified using ICC(3,1), standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable difference (SDD) for the 3 rounds and 30s-max. Concurrent validity of the test (30s-max period only) was measured against maximal minute power (MMP) from an incremental cycling ramp test performed to exhaustion and quantified using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Across the 3 rounds reliability varied for total number of scored kicks (ICC=0.22-0.87, SEM=2-4 kicks, SDD=6-12 kicks), average kick power (ICC=0.70-0.84, SEM=5-6 AU, SDD=15 AU), maximum HR (ICC=0.69-0.79, SEM=3%, SDD=7-8%), average HR (ICC=0.77-0.79, SEM=3%, SDD=8%), and BLa (ICC=0.00-0.58, SEM=1.29-1.52 mM, SDD=3.57-4.65 mM). Across the 30s-max period reliability varied for total number of scored kicks (ICC=0.79, SEM=4 kicks, SDD=12 kicks), average kick power (ICC=0.85, SEM=5 AU, SDD=15 AU), maximum HR (ICC=0.48, SEM=4%, SDD=11%), average HR (ICC=0.02, SEM=3%, SDD=9%), and BLa (ICC=0.67, SEM=1.37 mM, SDD=3.79 mM). sRPE for the entire test had an ICC=0.88, SEM=5 AU, and SDD=14 AU. The multiple linear regression model had limited interpretability due to multicollinearity and low degrees of freedom (R²=0.989, p=0.036). MMP correlated with average kick power (r=0.78, p=0.004), BLa (r=–0.59, p=0.037), and sRPE (r=–0.50, p=0.071). CONCLUSION: The simulated taekwondo fitness test demonstrated moderate-good reliability in average kick power, maximum and average HR across the 3 rounds, with total number of scoring kicks, average kick power, and BLa demonstrating moderate-good reliability in the 30-s-max period. A very large correlation between MMP and average kick power demonstrates concurrent validity of the test. These findings indicate the simulation can be used to reliably monitor changes in taekwondo-specific fitness.
Read CV Adam KirkwoodECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP24
INTRODUCTION: To identify physiological and global time-motion features associated with winning in authentic professional Muay Thai (5×3-min rounds; 2-min rests) in elite Thai athletes. METHODS: Sixteen elite Thai male fighters (8 matched pairs) completed baseline DXA, incremental treadmill testing (VO₂max; gas-exchange threshold), and a 30-s Wingate. During eight sanctioned contests, heart rate (%HRmax), capillary blood lactate (pre-fight and post-round), attack frequency, and active-to-passive ratio (A:P) were quantified and analysed using mixed/generalised models. RESULTS: Baseline anthropometry/body composition, VO₂max and Wingate performance did not distinguish winners from losers (all padjBH>0.05). Baseline threshold indices suggested higher fractional utilisation in winners (HR at threshold as %HRmax: g=1.20), but this did not remain significant after multiplicity correction. During contests, blood lactate showed an outcome×round interaction (p=0.003; f²=0.50): losers accumulated more lactate than winners in Round 4 (+0.84 mmol·L⁻¹; g=1.50) and Round 5 (+0.65 mmol·L⁻¹; g=1.11). Attack frequency showed an outcome×round interaction (p=0.008), with both groups increasing attacks across rounds but a larger final-round surge in losers. A:P showed an outcome×round interaction (p<0.001): winners displayed a U-shaped pacing profile, peaking in Round 4, whereas losers increased A:P into Round 5. Heart rate increased each round (p<0.001) without an outcome×round interaction (p=0.158). CONCLUSION: In elite Thai Muay Thai, winning appears to relate more to tactical pacing and late-round metabolic stability than to laboratory-measured maximal capacity. References: Crisafulli A et al. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009; Cappai I et al. Int J Perform Anal Sport. 2012.
Read CV Giuseppe CimadoroECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP24
INTRODUCTION: The short recovery intervals characteristic of high-level wrestling training and competition require rapid restoration of cardiac autonomic function. Whether short-term post-match autonomic recovery differs between lower and higher weight category wrestlers remains unclear. This study compared cardiac autonomic responses during passive recovery following a simulated maximal wrestling match in highly trained wrestlers from different weight categories. METHODS: Sixteen young male wrestlers (mean age: 20.3 ± 2.1 years), each with at least five years of competitive experience, participated in the study. Eight competed in lower weight categories (57, 61, 65, and 70 kg) and eight in higher weight categories (74, 79, 86, and 92 kg). Heart rate variability (HRV) was recorded during a 10-minute pre-exercise and a 10-minute passive recovery period after a simulated maximal wrestling match. All measurements of subjects were taken in the supine position using a V800 HR monitor and an H10 Bluetooth chest strap. Time-domain HRV parameters were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Significant group × time interactions were observed for the root mean square of the successive differences of the RR intervals (RMSSD) and standard deviation of normal R-R intervals (SDNN) (p < 0.05), with lower weight category wrestlers showing higher values during recovery than higher weight category wrestlers. For mean RR, a significant main effect of time was detected (p < 0.05), while neither the group effect nor the interaction reached significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a more pronounced cardiac-parasympathetic reactivation in lower weight category wrestlers during short-term passive recovery. In conclusion, longer inter-bout recovery intervals may be considered for higher weight category wrestlers during high-intensity matches or technical-tactical training to optimize autonomic recovery and sustain performance.
Read CV Ali Kamil GüngörECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP24