title: Energetics of karate (kata and kumite techniques) in top-level athletes.
abstract: Breath-by-breath O(2) uptake (VO2, L min(-1)) and blood lactate concentration were measured before, during exercise, and recovery in six kata and six kumite karate Word Champions performing a simulated competition. VO2max, maximal anaerobic alactic, and lactic power were also assessed. The total energy cost (VO2TOT mL kg(-1) above resting) of each simulated competition was calculated and subdivided into aerobic, lactic, and alactic fractions. Results showed that (a) no differences between kata and kumite groups in VO2max, height of vertical jump, and Wingate test were found; (b) VO2TOT were 87.8 +/- 6.6 and 82.3 +/- 12.3 mL kg(-1) in kata male and female with a performance time of 138 +/- 4 and 158 +/- 14 s, respectively; 189.0 +/- 14.6 mL kg(-1) in kumite male and 155.8 +/- 38.4 mL kg(-1) in kumite female with a predetermined performance time of 240 +/- 0 and 180 +/- 0 s, respectively; (c) the metabolic power was significantly higher in kumite than in kata athletes (p < or = 0.05 in both gender); (d) aerobic and anaerobic alactic sources, in percentage of the total, were significantly different between gender and disciplines (p < 0.05), while the lactic source was similar; (e) HR ranged between 174 and 187 b min(-1) during simulated competition. In conclusion, kumite appears to require a much higher metabolic power than kata, being the energy source with the aerobic contribution predominant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University G.d'Annunzio Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doria
authors.forename: Arsenio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veicsteinas
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Limonta
authors.forename: Martina A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maggioni
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aschieri
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eusebi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fanò
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pietrangelo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid