Acid-Base Balance, Blood Gases Saturation, and Technical Tactical Skills in Kickboxing Bouts According to K1 Rules.

Łukasz Rydzik,Tadeusz Ambroży,Jarosław Jaszczur-Nowicki,Mateusz Mardyła,Zbigniew Obmiński,Magdalena Więcek,Marcin Maciejczyk,Wojciech Czarny

doi:10.3390/biology11010065

Łukasz Rydzik, Tadeusz Ambroży + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11010065

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Abstract

Simple SummaryThe aim of our study was to analyze the changes in ABB after a three-round kickboxing fight and the level of technical and tactical skills presented during the fight. Fighting in kickboxing under K1 rules takes place with a high presence of anaerobic metabolism. Kickboxing athletes must have a good tolerance for metabolic acidosis and the ability to conduct an effective duel despite ABB disorders. Properly developed post-workout regeneration also plays an extremely important role. Background: Acid–base balance (ABB) is a major component of homeostasis, which is determined by the efficient functioning of many organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver, and the proper water and electrolyte exchange between these components. The efforts made during competitions by combat sports athletes such as kickboxers require a very good anaerobic capacity, which, as research has shown, can be improved by administering sodium bicarbonate. Combat sports are also characterized by an open task structure, which means that cognitive and executive functions must be maintained at an appropriate level during a fight. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in ABB in capillary blood, measuring levels of H+, pCO2, pO2, HCO3−, BE and total molar CO2 concentration (TCO2), which were recorded 3 and 20 min after a three-round kickboxing bout, and the level of technical and tactical skills presented during the fight. Methods: The study involved 14 kickboxers with the highest skill level (champion level). Statistical comparison of mentioned variables recorded prior to and after a bout was done with the use of Friedman’s ANOVA. Results: 3 min after a bout, H+ and pO2 were higher by 41% and 11.9%, respectively, while pCO2, HCO3−, BE and TO2 were lower by 14.5%, 39.4%, 45.4% and 34.4%, respectively. Furthermore, 20 min after the bout all variables tended to normalization and they did not differ significantly compared to the baseline values. Scores in activeness of the attack significantly correlated (r = 0.64) with pre–post changes in TCO2. Conclusions: The disturbances in ABB and changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide saturation observed immediately after a bout indicate that anaerobic metabolism plays a large part in kickboxing fights. Anaerobic training should be included in strength and conditioning programs for kickboxers to prepare the athletes for the physiological requirements of sports combat.

Highlights

Acid–base balance (ABB) is a major component of homeostasis, which is determined by the efficient functioning of many organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver [1,2], and the proper water and electrolyte exchange between these components [3]
An equilibrium is maintained between the pulmonary gas pressures in the human body, and the buffering system in the blood consists of hydrogen ion (H+) acceptors, which include bicarbonate ions (HCO3−), proteins, amino acids, hydrogen phosphate ions (HPO42−), and hemoglobin contained in erythrocytes
It is important to mention that under resting conditions, hyperventilation is responsible for blood alkalization, since in the case of negligible lactate levels and the associated source of hydrogen ions, the main H + donor is the reversible reaction of CO2 + H2O ↔ HCO3− + H+

Summary

Introduction

Acid–base balance (ABB) is a major component of homeostasis, which is determined by the efficient functioning of many organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver [1,2], and the proper water and electrolyte exchange between these components [3]. Studies have shown that the higher the intensity of anaerobic exercise, the higher the blood levels of lactate and hydrogen ions and the greater the decrease in HCO3− [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in ABB in capillary blood, measuring levels of H+, pCO2, pO2, HCO3−, BE and total molar CO2 concentration (TCO2), which were recorded 3 and 20 min after a three-round kickboxing bout, and the level of technical and tactical skills presented during the fight. Conclusions: The disturbances in ABB and changes in blood oxygen and carbon dioxide saturation observed immediately after a bout indicate that anaerobic metabolism plays a large part in kickboxing fights. Anaerobic training should be included in strength and conditioning programs for kickboxers to prepare the athletes for the physiological requirements of sports combat

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