Profiles of general physical fitness of young men training in combat sports

Background and Study Aim: Conclusions about the modifying effect of a specific combat sport on general physical fitness make sense if the compared groups of athletes are similar primarily in terms of the following variables: gender, age, training length, weekly training load (number, duration, and intensity of training sessions). The cognitive aim of this study is to answer the question: does long-term training in combat sports modify the overall physical fitness of young men in a pronounced way? Material and Methods: Three groups of combat sports athletes, in each n = 24 men and in each range of age 19 to 22 years: ju-jitsu (body height 172.25 +/- 4.8 cm, range 163 to 179 cm, body mass 69.98 +/- 7.98 kg, range 58.6 to 84.1 kg, training experience 3 to 5 years); karate kyokushin (body height 177.96 +/- 8.01 cm, range 163 to 197 cm, body mass 77.71 +/- 9.31 kg, range 57.8 to 103.6 kg, training experience 3 to 5 years); taekwondo ITF (body height 179.08 +/- 5.62 cm, range 167 to 19 1cm, body mass 76.92 +/- 7.35 kg, range 64.4 to 92.2 kg, training experience 3 to 5 years). The reference group (the most homogeneous) consisted of military cadets (n = 24), who had received one year of hand-to-hand combat training as part of their university military studies (age 19.8 years, body height 178.2 +/- 6.5 cm, range 163 to 186 cm, body mass 75 +/- 6.8 kg, range 71 to 95 kg). General physical fitness was measured by the International Physical Fitness Test (IPFT). Identification criteria were based on the recommendations of Tadeusz Ulatowski on the basis of results addressed to athletes: overall score (IPFT 8 trial total points) outstanding level 641 and more points, high level 561 to 640-, medium level 481 to 560-, low level 401 to 480-, very low level 400 and less points. Results: In terms of mean score, taekwondo ITF training has the strongest impact on shaping overall physical fitness (M = 529.9 points, range 486 to 605), while annual military training based significantly on hand-to-hand fighting exercises has the least (M = 484 points, range 433 to 521). The difference is statistically significant (p<0.01). Also, the mean score of karate kyokushin athletes (527.5 points) is significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of military cadets, similarly ju-jitsu athletes (M = 500.46 points), p<0.05. A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) also applies to the results of karate kyokushin athletes vs ju-jitsu and taekwondo athletes vs ju-jitsu. The ranking of the assessed motor skills of military cadets begins with the score of trial sit ups (M = 70.88 points), ends with 50 m dash (M = 50 points); taekwondo athletes, respectively: hand grip (M =74.91 points), sit ups (M = 59.41 points); karate kyokushin athletes bend trunk (M = 70.04 points), 50 m dash (M = 62.21 points); ju-jitsu athletes bent arm hang (M = 64.5 points), 50 m dash (M = 61.04 points). Only among military cadets 2.08% of individual trials diagnosed at a very low level (50 and less points). Conclusions: The modifying effect of multi-year training of individual combat sports on general physical fitness was found, with the results providing significant evidence that systematic training of at least 2 years shapes individual motor abilities to at least a low level. The empirical set -up used can provide a methodological basis for a comparative study of the effects of long-term training of any sport (systematic physical activity) in adult men, if the researchers used (or will use) the International Physical Fitness Test.