title: Hormonal, Physiological, and Physical Performance During Simulated Kickboxing Combat: Differences Between Winners and Losers.
abstract: The aim of the current study was to investigate the hormonal, physiological, and physical responses of simulated kickboxing competition and evaluate if there was a difference between winners and losers. Twenty athletes of regional and national level participated in the study (mean ± SD age 21.3 ± 2.7 y, height 170.0 ± 5.0 cm). Hormone (cortisol, testosterone, growth hormone), blood lactate [La], and glucose concentrations, as well as upper-body Wingate test and countermovement-jump (CMJ) performances, were measured before and after combats. Heart rate (HR) was measured throughout rounds 1, 2, and 3 and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was taken after each round. All combats were recorded and analyzed to determine the length of different activity phases (high-intensity, low-intensity, and referee pause) and the frequency of techniques. Hormones, glucose, [La], HR, and RPE increased (all P < .001) precombat to postcombat, while a decrease was observed for CMJ, Wingate test performance, body mass (all P < .001), and time of high-intensity activities (P = .005). There was no difference between winners and losers for hormonal, physiological, and physical variables (P > .05). However, winners executed more jab cross, total punches, roundhouse kicks, total kicks, and total attacking techniques (all P < .042) than losers. Kickboxing is an intermittent physically demanding sport that induces changes in the stress-related hormones soliciting the anaerobic lactic system. Training should be oriented to enhance kickboxers' anaerobic lactic fitness and their ability to strike at a sufficient rate. Further investigation is needed to identify possible differences in tactical and mental abilities that offer some insight into what makes winners winners.
authors.affiliation: High Inst of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ouergui
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Houcine
authors.forename: Hamza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marzouki
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaouali
authors.forename: Emerson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franchini
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gmada
authors.forename: Ezzedine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouhlel
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D019344:Lactic Acid; D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone