title: Predicting punching acceleration from selected strength and power variables in elite karate athletes: a multiple regression analysis.
abstract: This study investigated the relationship between punching acceleration and selected strength and power variables in 19 professional karate athletes from the Brazilian National Team (9 men and 10 women; age, 23 ± 3 years; height, 1.71 ± 0.09 m; and body mass [BM], 67.34 ± 13.44 kg). Punching acceleration was assessed under 4 different conditions in a randomized order: (a) fixed distance aiming to attain maximum speed (FS), (b) fixed distance aiming to attain maximum impact (FI), (c) self-selected distance aiming to attain maximum speed, and (d) self-selected distance aiming to attain maximum impact. The selected strength and power variables were as follows: maximal dynamic strength in bench press and squat-machine, squat and countermovement jump height, mean propulsive power in bench throw and jump squat, and mean propulsive velocity in jump squat with 40% of BM. Upper- and lower-body power and maximal dynamic strength variables were positively correlated to punch acceleration in all conditions. Multiple regression analysis also revealed predictive variables: relative mean propulsive power in squat jump (W·kg-1), and maximal dynamic strength 1 repetition maximum in both bench press and squat-machine exercises. An impact-oriented instruction and a self-selected distance to start the movement seem to be crucial to reach the highest acceleration during punching execution. This investigation, while demonstrating strong correlations between punching acceleration and strength-power variables, also provides important information for coaches, especially for designing better training strategies to improve punching speed.
authors.affiliation: 1NAR-Nucleus of High Performance in Sport, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil; 3Brazilian Karate Confederation, Coaching Staff, São Paulo, Brazil; 4Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, Brazil; and 5School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Irineu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Loturco
authors.forename: Guilherme Giannini
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Artioli
authors.forename: Ronaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kobal
authors.forename: Saulo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Emerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franchini
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult