Physiological and Anthropometric Profile of Elite Kickboxers

Abstract

The anthropometric and physiological characteristics of kickboxers were investigated. Professional male middleweight (73–77 kg) and welterweight (63–67 kg) kickboxers were determined to have relatively higher aerobic capacities (O2max, 54–69 ml · kg−1 · min−1), anaerobic capacities (8.2–11.2 W · kg−1), and knee extension peak torques (2.8–3.3 Nm · kg−1 @ 60° · sec−1) than previously reported for many other power or combat athletes. Kickboxers also tended to be lean (6.1–10.8% BF) and were classified as mesomedial body types on the Health-Carter somatotype scale. This suggests that elite kickboxers demonstrate a high level of aerobic and anaerobic conditioning along with the ability to produce high muscle forces.