Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas

Effect of different work-to-rest ratios on physiological and perceptual responses to kickboxing specific high intensity intermittent exercise in elite male kickboxers

Bayram Ceylan — 2025-07-24

This study examined how different rest periods during high-intensity, intermittent kickboxing exercise affect physiological and perceptual responses in nine elite kickboxers. After being informed about the nature of the study, the athletes performed three exercise sessions consisting of kicks and punches with 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 work-to-rest ratios in a randomised order, with 48 hours between each session. Their heart rate (HR) was measured at rest, immediately after, and six minutes after each exercise protocol. The athletes performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) test before and after exercise. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and muscle soreness (PMS) were measured immediately after exercise. The number of kicks and punches performed by the athletes was recorded. Different rest ratios did not affect heart rate (F_{2, 14} = 1.08, p = 0.36). There was no difference in the number of kicks or punches performed by the athletes among different rest intervals (F_{2, 16} = 1.59, p = 0.24; F_{2, 16} = 1.70, p = 0.21). Exercises with different rest periods did not induce changes in CMJ (F₂,₁₆ = 0.69, p = 0.52). While the PMS responses of the athletes did not differ among the different rest intervals (F₂,₁₆ = 1.27, p = 0.31), the RPE values did differ among the exercises with the different rest intervals (F_{2, 16} = 3.70, p = 0.04). The athletes presented higher RPE values with the 1:1 interval than with the 1:2 and 1:3 intervals (p < 0.05). Kickboxing-specific HIIE with different rest intervals did not induce any physiological or performance differences, but led to a higher RPE following a short rest interval than a long one. These findings highlight that perceived difficulty (i.e. RPE) increases as the rest period shortens. Thus, there is a need to optimise HIIE protocols for targeted results and subjective recovery needs in this sport.

Embodied power and identity: bodily discipline and sociocultural transformation in the Guangdong Chin Woo Athletic Association

Haidong Chen — 2025-08-03

This study aimed to deeply examine how the Guangdong Chin Woo Athletic Association, within the specific historical and regional context of Republican Era China, shaped members’ bodily concepts, behavior patterns, and values through its unique system of bodily discipline. It examines the intricate relationships between this process and individual identity, group identification, and national identity. This paper applies Foucault’s theory of bodily discipline to address the lack of previous research on the bodily disciplinary practices of specific regional Chin Woo branches and their sociocultural implications. Based on a meticulous review and analysis of primary archival materials, including the works Jing Wu Ben Ji and Jing Wu Yue Chuan, this study systematically analyzes the diverse bodily disciplinary practices of the Guangdong Chin Woo Athletic Association, encompassing the modernization of Chinese martial arts training, the organization of diverse cultural activities, and the establishment of strict institutional norms. The research reveals that the bodily discipline of the Guangdong Chin Woo Athletic Association was not merely a simple physical skills training, but a complex social process that integrated the call of the times, the leadership and promotion of social elites, organizational operational guarantees, and cultural inheritance and innovation. This disciplinary system effectively internalized specific bodily standards, behavioral norms, and values into members’ daily practices, not only enhancing members’ self-confidence and sense of group belonging but, more importantly, closely linking individual bodily experiences with national cultural identity and national identity, making the body a symbol carrying the hope of national rejuvenation. The study concludes that the bodily discipline of the Guangdong Chin Woo Athletic Association is a vivid embodiment of Modern China’s sports modernization transformation, bodily cultural changes, and the intertwining of power, identity construction, and social mobilization. It profoundly reveals the historical process in which the body was discovered, disciplined, and endowed with symbolic meaning under specific historical conditions.

Anthropometric characteristics of Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes and their relationship with anaerobic performance

Bruno Victor Corrêa da Silva — 2025-08-04

Anaerobic metabolism is crucial to Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (BJJ), principally during the decisive moments of the match, to perform sweeps, throws, and ground techniques. However, little is known about the association between anthropometric variables with anaerobic performance. Objectives: To describe the peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) obtained in the Wingate test by BJJ athletes, to investigate the correlations between PP and MP and anthropometric variables, and to identify the anthropometric predictors of anaerobic performance. Methods: Twenty male BJJ athletes (aged: 22.9 ± 2.3 yrs, height: 1.75 ± 0.05 m, and body mass: 75.7 ± 10.3 kg) performed a 30 s Wingate test. Anthropometric variables, body mass (BM), fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), fat mass (FM), and percentage fat mass (%FM) were measured through electric bioimpedance. Results: Absolute mean values for PP and MP were 926 ± 154 and 665 ± 110 W, respectively, whereas relative values to BM were 12.2 ± 1.3 and 8.8 ± 0.9 W.kg^-1, respectively. The mean FI value was 30.0 ± 4.7%. A significant and positive correlation was observed between PP and MP with all anthropometric variables (MM, FFM, %FM, FM). FFM was the best predictor of both PP (R² = 0.69, p = .001) and MP (R² = 0.67, p = 0.001) in the Wingate test. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that FFM was the main anthropometric variable associated with anaerobic performance in BJJ athletes. Improving FFM may be a key strategy for enhancing anaerobic performance in this population.

Countermovement jump performance in Malaysian young wushu athletes: normative values and sex-based differences

Erik C.H. Tan — 2025-08-05

Wushu, commonly known as kung-fu, is a demanding sport requiring rapid force application to achieve significant vertical jump heights. These jumps are integral for executing complex aerial tasks and obtaining higher performance scores. Purpose: This study aimed to establish normative data for countermovement jump (CMJ) performance parameters in elite wushu athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional design was implemented at the 2022 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) wushu competition with 115 athletes (males=67). Each athlete performed three CMJs with hands akimbo on a pair of force platforms. Performance and biomechanical data (vertical jump height, peak relative propulsive power, peak relative propulsive force, modified reactive strength index, and relative propulsive net impulse) were collected using Hawkins Dynamics software. An ANCOVA was used to compare CMJ parameters across sex and events, controlling for age and body mass. Normative data were established using t-scores. Results: The ANCOVA indicated that CMJ and biomechanical variables differed by sex and age (p<0.01), but not by event. Conclusion: These normative values provide a baseline for understanding CMJ performance in elite wushu athletes and may guide further exploration of training adaptations, injury risk assessment, and performance optimization. However, additional research is warranted to fully validate and expand on the potential practical applications of these findings.

Successful marketing strategies for martial arts schools

Hyunmin Choi — 2025-09-27

This article delves into effective marketing strategies for martial arts schools, with a focus on insights from three successful taekwondo academies in the United States. The information was gathered through interviews with the founders of these schools, followed by an analysis of their strategies using the key marketing principles of STP (Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning). In this context, successful taekwondo academies are often strategically situated in urban and suburban areas with high foot traffic, fostering strong community engagement and attracting children from middle- and upper-class families who seek discipline as well as family-oriented programs. To enhance enrollment and retention, these schools implement targeted marketing strategies, including premium brand image, social media outreach, and specialized programs that emphasize personal growth, skill development, with a strong emphasis on Asian cultural elements and tradition. By examining these real-world examples, martial arts schools of any style or location may gain practical lessons for attracting and retaining students.