1. Results:
The one-way ANOVA identified a significant difference between
groups (p=0.013). A Tukey post-hoc test revealed significant
differences in punch output between middle and heavy
(p=0.015), however there were no significant differences
between light and middle weight groups (p=0.67) and light and
heavy weight groups (p=0.774)
Descriptive statistics used: Means and Standard Deviation.
Light weight group (353±22.9), middle weight group
(530.2±124.3) and heavy weight group (299±78.5)
Independent t-tests reported that there was a statistical
difference deemed large between the middle weight group
and the heavier weight group punch outputs, (p<0.05;
d=1.39). There was also a significant difference between light
and middle weight category punch outputs which also
reported a large effect, (p<0.05; d=1.06). However, there was
no significant difference between the light weight group and
the heavy weight group punch outputs, which showed a
medium effect size (p >0.05; d=0.32)
Figure 2. A graph showing average punch output (+/-SD) across
the three weight groups.
An assessment of punch output across different
weight categories in elite amateur boxing
performance
Joshua Booth
Introduction: Olympic boxing is a full-contact sport where athletes across different weight categories engage in high
intensity efforts including physical, technical and tactical abilities. Research suggests that differences in physiological and
biomechanical performance do exist despite the scarceness in literature surrounding the topic (Davis, Wittekind & Beneke,
2013), although there have been no appraising studies on the impact of weight on aspects of performance. Therefore, the
aim of this study was to assess the differences in punch frequency between 10 elite amateur weight classes during
Olympic gold medal bouts.
Methods:
Participants:
All participants of the study were male elite amateur
boxers (n=20) who had taken part in gold medal
bouts across 10 weight categories (49-91+kg) during
the 2012 London Olympic Games. Weight groups
Were selected as ‘light’ (49kg, 52kg, 56kg),
‘middle’ (60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg) and ‘heavy’ (81kg,
91kg, 91+kg).
Reliability:
Inter- and intra-operator reliability was assessed
using the methods of Cooper, Hughes, O’Donoghue
and Nevill (2007). Agreeability was within 90-100%
for both intra- and inter-operator reliability and
therefore deemed acceptable.
Data Collection:
Dartfish software was set up with an established
‘tagging’ board in which key performance indicators
(KPIs) could be coded during post match analysis.
This ‘tagging’ process followed a developed PA
template, in which schematic performance was
recorded (Thomson, Lamb, Nicholas, 2013). See
figure 1. for the sequential tagging process.
Figure 1. a schematic of recorded offensive
KPIs.
Statistical Analyses :
• Shaprio-Wilk test.
• One-way ANOVA to test between groups, with
Tukey post-hoc.
• Independent t-tests
• Effect sizes with Cohen’s d.
Conclusions
• The results support the idea that physiological and
biomechanical differences between weight classes have
an effect on punch output. Research highlights that there
are physiological differences between weight categories,
such as respiratory exchange ratios, anaerobic power and
heart rate Neha, Ajita and Kaur (2010). Although it is
unclear where the internal physiological differences are in
this instance, it can be assumed that different styles of
boxing are adopted during contests to meet the
physiological demands of boxing performance, which, as a
consequence has an effect on punching output.
• This study can conclude that weight classes do have
an effect on punch output during elite amateur bouts.
References:
Davis, P., Wittekind, A., & Beneke, R. (2013). Amateur boxing: Activity profile of winners and losers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8(1), 84-91
Cooper, S., Hughes, M., O’Donoghue, P., & Neville, A. (2007). A simple statistical method for assessing the reliability of data entered into sport performance analysis systems.
International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 7(1), 87-109.
Neha, Ajita, & Kaur, R. (2010). Comparison of selected physiological variables among different weight-category indian elite male boxers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(1), i25-i25
Thomson, E., Lamb, K., & Nicholas, C. (2013). The development of a reliable amateur boxing performance analysis template. Journal of Sport Sciences, 31(5), 516-528.
Numberofpunches
Weight Group
353
530.25
299
0
100
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300
400
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Light
Middle
Heavy