Vidas Bruzas1, Sigitas Kamandulis1, Tomas Venckunas1, Audrius Snieckus2, Pranas Mockus1. 1. Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania. 2. Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania - audrius.snieckus@lsu.lt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During competition, a boxer must continue to deliver high-impact punches despite increasing fatigue. It is unclear whether the effects of plyometric training using external weights are transferred to sport-specific movements such as punching. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week cycle of plyometric training with external weights on punching ability. METHODS: The study involved eight male amateur boxers aged 22.3±2.5 years with at least 7 years of competitive experience. They performed 12 plyometric training sessions, each comprising eight exercises of various muscle groups performed at maximum movement velocity. Six drills were performed with external weights, and two drills were performed using the body weight as resistance. All exercises required coordination. The punching ability was tested at baseline and after the 4 weeks of training using the Kiktest-100 boxing bag. RESULTS: The force of single punches and the frequency of punches within a series did not change from before to after the 4 weeks, except for increased power in the rear-hand low punch (P<0.05). However, there was an increase in summative force and energy output within 3 s and 8 s, and in a series of eight 8-s tests (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of plyometric training with external weights did not change the maximum punching power or movement frequency significantly, but had a beneficial effect on punching power endurance in boxers.
BACKGROUND: During competition, a boxer must continue to deliver high-impact punches despite increasing fatigue. It is unclear whether the effects of plyometric training using external weights are transferred to sport-specific movements such as punching. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a 4-week cycle of plyometric training with external weights on punching ability. METHODS: The study involved eight male amateur boxers aged 22.3±2.5 years with at least 7 years of competitive experience. They performed 12 plyometric training sessions, each comprising eight exercises of various muscle groups performed at maximum movement velocity. Six drills were performed with external weights, and two drills were performed using the body weight as resistance. All exercises required coordination. The punching ability was tested at baseline and after the 4 weeks of training using the Kiktest-100 boxing bag. RESULTS: The force of single punches and the frequency of punches within a series did not change from before to after the 4 weeks, except for increased power in the rear-hand low punch (P<0.05). However, there was an increase in summative force and energy output within 3 s and 8 s, and in a series of eight 8-s tests (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of plyometric training with external weights did not change the maximum punching power or movement frequency significantly, but had a beneficial effect on punching power endurance in boxers.
Authors: Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo; Cristian Álvarez; Antonio García-Hermoso; Robinson Ramírez-Vélez; Paulo Gentil; Abbas Asadi; Helmi Chaabene; Jason Moran; Cesar Meylan; Antonio García-de-Alcaraz; Javier Sanchez-Sanchez; Fabio Y Nakamura; Urs Granacher; William Kraemer; Mikel Izquierdo Journal: Sports Med Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 11.136