The Impact of Reduced Training Activity of Elite Kickboxers on Physical Fitness, Body Build, and Performance during Competitions

Tadeusz Ambroży, Łukasz Rydzik, Zbigniew Obmiński, Andrzej T. Klimek, Natalia Serafin, Artur Litwiniuk, Robert Czaja and Wojciech Czarny
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Tadeusz Ambroży: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Łukasz Rydzik: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Zbigniew Obmiński: Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Sport-National Research Institute, 01-982 Warsaw, Poland
Andrzej T. Klimek: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education in Kraków, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Natalia Serafin: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Physical Education in Krakow, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Artur Litwiniuk: Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Robert Czaja: College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Wojciech Czarny: College of Medical Sciences, Institute of Physical Culture Studies, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport where athletes require constant supervision of a coach. The outbreak of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a crisis in many sectors, including sport. Global efforts to limit the spread of the pathogen resulted in temporary lockdowns that limited sporting activity, thus deteriorating athletes’ physical fitness. Methods: The participants included 20 kickboxers competing at the international level. Their physical fitness was evaluated based on the test developed by the International Committee on the Standardization of Physical Fitness Test (ICSPFT) and their body build was assessed using Tanita BC601 body composition monitor and a body height meter. Differences between physical fitness before the COVID-19 outbreak and during the pandemic after re-opening sports facilities were evaluated. Results: Temporary closing of sports clubs has led to the increase in body mass of the participants by 2.65 kg on average and significantly deteriorated physical fitness. Conclusions: Temporary closing of sports clubs and restrictions on physical activity aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 caused a significant reduction in physical fitness and increased body mass of the participants. This is likely to cause worse performance in the nearest competitions and have a negative impact on the athletes’ health status and immunity to diseases.

Keywords: physical exercise; COVID-19; pandemic; physical fitness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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