Differences in VO2 Between Kickboxing and Treadmill Exercise at Similar Heart Rates

Kickboxing has become increasingly popular as an alternative mode of aerobic exercise in the general public. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in oxygen consumption (VO2) during kickboxing and treadmill running at similar heart rates (HR). Methods Eleven female subjects (19±1 yrs; 165±5 cm; 62±12 kg) participated in a 25-minute kickboxing session. This consisted of 5-minute segments including a warm-up, punch, kick, combination (punch/kick) and cool down. The kickboxing stages were performed in a randomized, counterbalanced order. After a 30-minute rest period, the subjects performed a modified Bruce treadmill max test (5 minute stages). VO2 and HR were measured during the two exercise sessions. Linear regression was used to interpolate the treadmill VO2 that occurred at HR values elicited during kickboxing. A general linear model two factor repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to compare VO2 results among the punch, kick, and combination phases of kickboxing and the results between the kickboxing VO2 and the treadmill VO2. The differences (t,.) between treadmill and kickboxing VO2 that were determined at similar heart rates were analyzed utilizing t­-tests. Result Significant differences in VO2 were found among the kickboxing phases: punch, 14.4 ml min"1kg"1±5.l (HR 133±16 bpm); kick, 18.9 ml min.1kg"1±4.6 (HR149±20 bpm); and combination, 17.6 ml min-1kg-1±3.7 (HR 144±22 bpm). Treadmill running at HRs of 133, 149 and 144 bpm elicited V02 values of 17.5 ml min"1kg"1±5.3; 21.3 ml min"1kg" 1±4.8; and 19.8 ml min"1kg"1±4.4, respectively. The treadmill and kickboxing VO2 /',. at heart rates of 133 bpm (3.2 ml min-1kg"1±2.2, t = 4.71), 149 bpm (2.4 ml min"1kg"1±2.2, t = 3.66), and 144 bpm (2.3 ml min"1kg·1±1.6, t = 4.73) were found to be statistically different. Conclusion The kick phase of kickboxing elicited a higher VO2 than the punch and combination phases. Additionally, kickboxing elicited a lower VO2 than treadmill running at similar heart rates in college-aged women.