The effect of four different karate training programs on some physical fitness and performance indicators of karatekas

 It is possible that performing sports training in different intervals may have different effects on the physical fitness and performance indicators of athletes. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of four different karate training programs on some of the physical fitness and performance indicators of karatekas.

A total of 32 subjects were voluntarily selected in 4 groups of 8 and randomly tested in four groups including short-term interval training, long-term interval training, medium-term interval training, and regular karate training. The subjects in each of the four groups performed karate techniques in 9 stations. The stations were defined in intervals of 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 180 seconds. In the short-term interval training program, the subjects used intervals of 10 and 20 seconds more. In the medium-term program, the subjects used 30, 45 and 60-second intervals, and in the long-term program, the subjects used 90 and 180-second intervals for training. The fourth group used the usual karate programs, which were often different combinations of these training intervals. The subjects performed the exercises twice a week for 8 weeks. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, analysis of covariance and paired t-test at a significance level of P˂0.05.

The results showed that there was no significant difference between the four training programs in terms of their effects on agility, foot speed, dynamic balance, anaerobic power, and hand movement speed (P˃0.05). The training program with medium-term intervals was superior to the other three programs in terms of its effects on aerobic power, explosive power, abdominal muscle endurance, reaction time, and hand strike power (P˂0.05). The training programs with medium-term and short-term intervals were superior to the two traditional and long-term programs in terms of their effects on upper body muscular endurance, foot strike speed, hand strike speed, and foot strike power (P˂0.05).

According to the results obtained, it seems that different training programs can have different effects on physical fitness and performance indicators in karatekas, however, it is likely that a training program with short and medium-term intervals can have a greater effect on karatekas than the other two programs.