Physical fitness components and bone health status of Malay male state level boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes
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Date
2018-05
Authors
Abidin, Muhammad Amrun Haziq
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the differences in physical fitness
components and bone health status among Malay male state level boxing, Muay Thai and
silat athletes. A total of 40 participants (mean age: 16.7 ± 1.5 years old) participated in
this study. They were divided into four groups, i.e. sedentary control, boxing, Muay Thai
and silat groups with 10 participants per group. Participants’ lung capacity, estimated
maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic capacities, isokinetic muscular strength and
power, hand grip strength, back and leg strength, standing long jump explosive power,
Illinois agility, standing Stork balance and flexibility were measured. Bone sonometer
was used to measure bone speed of sound (SOS) of participants’ tibia and radius dominant
and non-dominant legs and arms. The main findings in the present study were that boxing
athletes exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) greater arm isokinetic muscular
strength and power than silat athletes, and higher arm isokinetic muscular power than
Muay Thai athletes. Boxing athletes also showed statistically significant (p<0.05) higher
estimated VO2max compared to silat athletes. Comparison with the sedentary controls,
boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes showed statistically significant (p<0.05) greater
Wingate mean power, and leg and arm isokinetic strength and power than sedentarycontrols. Boxing and Muay Thai athletes also showed statistically significant (p<0.01)
greater estimated VO2max and jumping leg explosive power compared to sedentary
controls. In addition, boxing athletes also exhibited statistically significant (p<0.01)
greater hand grip strength of dominant and non-dominant hands than sedentary controls.
Moreover, Muay Thai group exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) greater radius
bone SOS values of non-dominant arm compared to sedentary controls. In conclusion,
this study found that boxing athletes exhibited greater arm isokinetic muscular strength
and power than silat athletes, and also greater arm isokinetic muscular power than Muay
Thai athletes. Boxing athletes also showed better aerobic fitness compared to silat athletes.
Furthermore, involvement in boxing, Muay Thai and silat could enhance physical fitness
components and bone health status of individuals compared to sedentary lifestyles. The
findings obtained from this present study can be used as guidelines to facilitate the
development of specific training programmes for boxing, Muay Thai and silat athletes, as
well as promoting active lifestyle by engaging in martial arts such as boxing, Muay Thai
and silat.
Description
Keywords
Physical fitness