The effect of fatigue on strength-power tests for distinguishing elite-level male kickboxers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Özbay, Serhat^a | Gençoğlu, Cebrail^b | Ulupınar, Süleyman^c | Çınar, Vedat^d | Ouergui, Ibrahim^e | Hölbling, Dominik^f

Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey | [b] Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey | [c] Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey | [d] Faculty of Sport Science, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey | [e] High Institute of Sport and Physical Education Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia | [f] Research Group for Industrial Software (INSO), Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Cebrail Gençoğlu, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey. Tel.: +90 546 6474060; Fax: +90 312 906 29 67; E-mail: cebrail.gencoglu@erzurum.edu.tr.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Based on recent research, slight performance differences, particularly dependent on the state of recovery, might be crucial for tournament success among elite-caliber kickboxers. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to; a) determine which strength-power tests could discriminate better between elite and top-elite kickboxers and, b) to evaluate changes in testing results between fatigued and well-rested athletes. METHODS: Twenty-two international kickboxers (including World and European Champions) volunteered to participate in this study. Nine kickboxers were assigned to the top-elite group and 13 to the elite group based on their highest tournament achievements. Subjects performed the Wingate test (Win) for anaerobic power; countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) for neuromuscular power; push-ups and pull-ups for strength endurance; squats (SQ) and bench press (BP) for maximal dynamic strength; handgrip, leg, and back strength for isometric strength after full rest, following the fatigue and advanced fatigue protocols. RESULTS: Discriminant function analysis correctly classified the groups at 60.5%, 75.3%, and 86.3% in the resting, fatigue, and advanced fatigue protocols, respectively. Furthermore, all strength-power performances have significantly decreased and lactatepeak increased (p< 0.05) after the fatigue and advanced fatigue protocols in both groups. Significant interaction were also observed in the Winpeak (p< 0.001, ηp2= 0.559), Winmean (p= 0.009, ηp2= 0.246), CMJ (p= 0.010, ηp2= 0.273), push-ups (p< 0.001, ηp2= 0.389), SQabsolute (p= 0.001, ηp2= 0.337), BPabsolute (p= 0.014, ηp2= 0.235) and, Lactatepeak (p= 0.026, ηp2= 0.220). CONCLUSION: Resistance to fatigue may be the key component for distinguishing elite-level athletes. Thus, strength-power tests should be performed following a certain level of fatigue for the elite athletes due to distinguish them more effectively.

Keywords: Kickboxing, strength-power tests, strength performance, performance decrease, Wingate

DOI: 10.3233/IES-240023

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024