Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate physiological performance parameters of the elite karate-kumite athletes via the simulated karate performance test (SKPT). Sixteen elite male karate athletes from The Turkish National Team participated in the study- (age: 23.31±4.27 years, height: 173.4±4.91cm, weight: 68.8±8.17 kg, BMI: 22.85±1.96 kg/cm2). The SKPT protocol included 5 sets of 3 minutes simulated karate competition bouts, which included randomly timed 4 karate techniques (2 hands and 2 foot) in 7 seconds. With higher level of performance, the duration of the attacks increased whereas the rest periods shortened, but the total duration of the level remained constant (3 minutes). The blood lactate concentrations, heart rate, ventilation and oxygen consumption of the athletes were evaluated pre, mid and post SKPT. Statistically significant differences were found in all recorded parameters (p<0.05). During the simulated test peak oxygen consumption values were 41,69 ± 4,82 ml/kg/min at the 9th minute. Whereas heart rate, ventilation and oxygen consumption decreased to warm up values at the end of recovery, blood lactate values remained elevated during the whole recovery period. In conclusion, the simulation protocol implemented in this study has been found to produce physiological strain similar to real competition and can be used for performance evaluation of elite karate athletes.
Highlights
Karate is one of the most popular martial arts which include defense and attack techniques against an opponent with a point-based performance outcome [1, 2, 3]
The averages and standard deviations of the lactic acid, ventilation, oxygen consumption and heart rate of the athletes are given in Table 2 for before, during and after the simulated karate performance test (SKPT) protocol
The physiological performance parameters of the athletes such as VO2, heart rate (HR), VE and lactate concentrations (La) were evaluated using the simulated karate performance test (SKPT) that was designed particular to the conditions of karate
Summary
Karate is one of the most popular martial arts which include defense and attack techniques against an opponent with a point-based performance outcome [1, 2, 3]. Karate movements contain sudden accelerations, directional changes, and sudden, fast and explosive attacks [4]. Karate athletes move very fast with short and narrow steps [5]. During the short and high intensity attacks, the necessary energy is supplied by the anaerobic system whereas during the low intensity movements and resting periods the aerobic system provides the necessary energy [7]. Training of the karate athletes has to integrate both anaerobic and aerobic components, which is usually performed as high intensity interval training [8]. Athletes have to participate in more than one competition in one day, which puts emphasis on recovery processes. [9, 10]
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