Time–Motion Analysis and Physiological Responses to Karate Official Combat Sessions: Is There a Difference Between Winners and Defeated Karatekas?

Helmi Chaabène, Emerson Franchini, Bianca Miarka, Mohamed Amin Selmi, Bessem Mkaouer, and Karim Chamari

Purpose: The aim of this study was to measure and compare physiological and time–motion variables during karate fighting and to assess eventual differences between winners and defeated elite karatekas in an ecologi- cally valid environment. Methods: Fourteen elite male karatekas who regularly participated in national and international events took part in a national-level competition. Results: There were no significant differences between winners and defeated karatekas regarding all the studied variables. Karatekas used more upper-limb (76.19%) than lower-limb techniques (23.80%). The kisami-zuki represented the most frequent technique, with 29.1% of all used techniques. The duration of each fighting activity ranged from <1 s to 5 s, with 83.8% ± 12.0% of the actions lasting less than 2 s. Karatekas executed 17 ± 7 high-intensity actions per fight, which corresponded to ~6 high-intensity actions per min. Action-to-rest ratio was about 1:1.5, and high-intensity- action-to-rest ratio was ~1:10. The mean blood lactate response at 3 min postcombat (Lapost) elicited during karate fighting was 11.18 ± 2.21 mmol/L (difference between Lapre and Lapost = 10.01 ± 1.81 mmol/L). Mean heart rate (HR) was 177 ± 14 beats/min (91% ± 5% of HRpeak). Karatekas spent 65% of the time exercising at HR >90% of the individual HRpeak. Conclusion: Karatekas predominantly use upper-limb karate techniques. Karate’s nature is intermittent, with fighting activities representing ~6% of total combat’s duration and ~84% of actions lasting less than 2 s, with ~21-s mean time interval in between. Kumite combat sessions induced high La and near-maximal cardiovascular strain. Other key success factors should be investigated to properly discriminate winners and defeated athletes. Keywords: karate kumite, physiological parameters, activity profile

Officially, karate athletes have 3 minutes of combat has 18 ± 6 efforts per 9 ± 6 seconds of recovery pattern to perform different technical and tactical actions.1 (ie, effort:pause ratio of 2:1). Activity phases contained During this time, various arrangements are performed 16.3 ± 5.1 high-intensity actions per fight lasting 1 to 3 intermittently with variations of intensity and constant seconds each, which resulted in 3.4 ± 2.0 high-intensity interruptions being the main characteristic of this combat actions per minute. Furthermore, they reported a post- sport.2–5 There is relatively little scientific evidence deal- combat blood lactate concentration [La] of 7.7 ± 1.9 ing with the physiological requirement of competition. mmol/L. Iide et al3 demonstrated that the duration of the In this context, there are only 2 studies dealing with both shortest offensive and/or defensive techniques was 0.3 ± physiological responses and karate combat analysis,2,3 but 0.1 second for both 2- and 3-minute bouts of combat (ie, they were conducted using simulated fighting conditions. fighting match), while the longest offensive and defensive Beneke et al2 reported that simulated karate competition combination techniques were 2.1 ± 1.0 and 1.8 ± 0.4 seconds, respectively. The total times of offensive and Chaabène is with the Chaabène is with the Tunisian Research defensive techniques during 2- and 3-minute bouts of Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization,” National Center combat were 13.3 ± 3.3 and 19.4 ± 5.5 seconds, respec- of Medicine and Science in Sport, Tunis, Tunisia. Franchini and tively. In the same study, peak heart-rate responses, [La], Miarka are with the School of Physical Education and Sport, and rating of perceived exertion for both the 2-minute and University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Selmi is with the the 3-minute bouts of fighting were 160 ± 12.8 and 169.9 High Inst of Sports and Physical Education, University of ± 9.1 beats/min, 3.1 ± 1 and 3.4 ± 1 mmol/L, and 13.5 Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia. Mkaouer is with the Higher Inst ± 1.8 and 15.3 ± 1.7, respectively.3 Rating of perceived of Sports and Physical Education of Ksar Said, Manouba Uni- exertion has been recently established by Milanez et al6 versity, Tunis, Tunisia. Chamari is with the Athletes Health and to be a valid tool in quantifying karate training sessions Performance Research Center, Aspetar, Doha, Qatar. involving basic techniques (kihon) and combat.

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Thus, since greater understanding of both time– procedures were used in a previous investigation with a motion analysis and physiological parameters of an offi- high reliability and objectivity.9 cial karate combat will assist coaches, scientific experts, Preparatory-activity time began either after the and even athletes in the best way to optimize sport- referee’s hand signal or on termination of the fighting specific training programs and consequently enhance phase, whereas it ended either on the referee’s hand signal karate’s high-level performance, a study conducted in this or when the successive fighting time started. Fighting- combat environment seemed to be needed. Particularly, activity time (FT) was considered an exchange between time–motion analysis is important to applied sport scien- the 2 contestants and began when athletes moved out tists and strength and conditioning coaches to assist in the from the fighting stance toward an exchange and ceased development of game-specific conditioning programs. In once the final execution was ended. More precisely, an addition, research into the physical demands, movement execution finished once the punching limb was retracted, patterns, and combat performance analysis of martial arts kicking foot was returned to the floor, and when contact athletes and more specifically karate is still very limited. between contestants ended. Stoppage activity time was Matsushigue et al7 revealed that winners used fewer started or stopped when the referee called hajime, which tae kwon do techniques during an official tae kwon do means to begin, or yame, which means to stop.1 Stop- competition, while physiological responses (ie, [La] and page period included various events: general—the time heart rate [HR]) did not differ from those of defeated required for the referee to separate contestants after an athletes. Similarly, Roschel et al8 reported no significant exchange, injury—period of time spent when athletes difference in [La] between winners and defeated karate were injured, and penalty/score—the time required when athletes. However, to our knowledge, detailed analysis the referees awarded a penalty or score to a competitor. of combat’s physiological responses and performance All matches were analyzed twice with a 1-week aspects has not been previously reported during official interval between by the same researcher (black-belt and competition in high-level karatekas. Thus, the aims of expert coach) and by a second observer to determine the current study were to verify the relationship between the objectivity of the procedure. The level of agreement performance analysis with physiological responses during between the 2 observations was determined via Cohen official karate combat and to compare winners and kappa statistic as suggested by Landis and Koch.10 Kappa defeated athletes in relation to performance analysis, as values were as following: poor, .0 to <.20; fair, .20 to well as combat physiological responses in a sample of <.40; moderate, .40 to <.60; substantial, .60 to <.80; and high-level karatekas. almost perfect, .80–1.00.10 Cohen kappa between the 2 observations applied to the frequencies of technique used was >.80 (range .85–1), almost perfect. The Student t Methods test showed no significant difference in preparatory (t = 1.75, P = .12), fighting (t = –1.05, P = .33), and stoppage Subjects (t = –.14, P = .89) activity during the 2 analyses of both observers. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) Fourteen male high-level karate athletes (weight catego- was higher than .90 for all phases (preparatory activities, ries: >84 kg, n = 3; <84 kg, n = 2; <75 kg, n = 3; <67 kg, n .96; FT, .90; stoppage activities, .94), showing the high = 3; <60 kg, n = 3) who regularly participated in national reliability of this system. and international events under different weight categories took part in this study (age 21.5 ± 3.1 y, body mass 72.8 Physiological Measurements. Competitors’ HR was ± 10.2 kg, height 180.9 ± 7.8 cm, and karate experi- recorded at 5-second intervals using the Polar Team ence 14.1 ± 2.7 y). All subjects were first-, second-, or System (Team System, Polar, Kempele, Finland). The third-dan black-belt holders. A total of 14 karate combat mean HR (HRmean) was calculated as the average of sessions were analyzed. All athletes provided written the HR during the entire karate combat, while peak informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of HR (HRpeak) was defined as the highest match value. Helsinki. The university ethics committee approved the HRmean was expressed as percentage of the karateka’s 11 study protocol. HRpeak attained during the combat. Intensity effort was classified according to 5 categories: (1) >95% HRpeak, (2) >90–95% HRpeak, (3) >85–90% HRpeak, (4) >80–85% Procedures 12 HRpeak, and (5) ≤80% HRpeak. The time spent, expressed Performance-Analysis Measurements. All combat as percentage of the total combat time, in each category sessions were taped by using 2 Sony cameras (model was calculated. DCR PC 108E, CCD 1000,000 pixels, SSC 1/4000 per s, [La] was measured at rest and at 3 minutes post- Tokyo, Japan). The cameras (positioned 5 m aside from combat from the fingertip using the Lactate Pro Analyzer the competition area) were equipped with a fish-eye (Arkray, Tokyo, Japan) and used as an indicator of the lens, allowing coverage of all the combat areas. A video- energy contribution from the anaerobic glycolysis system analysis software program (Dartfish Edition MPT34M during combat sessions.2 Pro 5.5, Lausanne, Switzerland) was used to analyze The rating of perceived exertion (RPE6–20) was the footage frame by frame (interval 0.016 s). Similar assessed on a 6-to-20 scale.13 Recently, RPE (Borg 6–20 304 Chaabène et al

and CR-10 scales, which were correlated, r = .78) has ners were 2 ± 0 and 1 ± 0, respectively, and for defeated been presented as a valid tool to assess global exercise values were 2 ± 1 and 2 ± 0, respectively. Combination intensity during karate.6 The subjects were habituated of attack techniques was 2 ± 1 for winners and 1 ± 1 for to the use of the RPE scale and monitoring training load defeated karatekas. before the commencement of the study. Total fighting time was 22.8 ± 8.4 seconds, with no difference (P > .05) between winners (24.1 ± 6.0 s) and Statistical Analysis defeated (22.6 ± 13.9 s). The statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS A significant difference (t = –2.54, df = 26, P = .01, 19.0 program for Windows (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL, dz = 0.61 [moderate]) was found between the duration of USA). A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test assessed the normal- exercise (10.3 ± 5.0 s) and pauses (15.4 ± 5.6 s; effort:rest ity assumption. Variables’ relationships were assessed ratio of 1:1.5). High-intensity actions (1.5 ± 0.7 s) and through Pearson correlation analysis. Reliability of time– rest periods (15.4 ± 5.6 s) also differed (t = –9.29, df = 26, motion analysis was checked via ICC. Cohen kappa was P < .001, dz = 3.51 [very large]; effort:rest ratio >1:10). calculated to determine the level of agreement between Preparatory-activity time, FT, and stoppage activity time the 2 observations for the time–motion analysis, that is, represented 33.12%, 5.81%, and 59.86% of combat’s total the frequencies of techniques performed. Comparison duration, respectively. between winners and defeated athletes was assessed The majority (83.8% ± 12.0%) of the FT lasted less through independent t test. Data are presented as mean than 2 seconds. Time interval between high-intensity actions was 21.9 ± 10.1 seconds, with no significant dif- ± SD. Effect sizes (dz) were calculated using GPOWER software (Bonn FRG, Bonn University, Department ference (P > .05) between winners (24.1 ± 10.5 s) and of Psychology). The following scale was used for the defeated athletes (19.05 ± 10.7 s). Physiological and perceptive responses are shown interpretation of dz: <0.2, trivial; 0.2 to <0.6, small; 0.6 to <1.2, moderate; 1.2 to <2.0, large; and ≥2.0, very large.14 in Table 1. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. Karate combat generated a significant increase in [La] (t = 17, df = 10, P < .001, dz = 5.06 [very large]) and HR (t = –12.99, df = 12; P < .0001, dz = 5.31 [very large]). Results There was no significant difference (P > .05) in the RPE, La , La , HR , HR , and %HR between win- Of all techniques used, upper-limb techniques represent rest post peak mean peak ners and defeated athletes. There was no significant cor- 76.19% and lower-limb ones 23.80%. When consider- relation between La and the mean total combat time ing attack techniques, upper-limb techniques represent post or the number of techniques applied per combat session 64.34% and lower-limb techniques 35.65%. For coun- (P > .05). Moreover, there was no significant correlation terattack technique, upper-limb techniques represent between high-intensity actions and FT or La , between 90.47% and lower-limb one 9.52%. Finally, for combi- post La and both the number of high-intensity actions and nation of attack, upper-limb techniques represent 100%. post RPE (P > .05). Kisami-zuki represented 74.32% of upper-limb attack techniques, 47.82% of all attack techniques, and 29.1% of all techniques used. Concerning lower-limb Discussion attack techniques, Mawashi-geri Chudan represented 43.90% of the total. Of all counterattack techniques The aim of this study was to measure and to compare and upper-limb counterattack techniques, kyaku-zuki time–motion variables and physiological responses jodan represented 54.76% and 60.52%, respectively. during karate combat sessions and to assess eventual dif- From combination of attacks, kisami kyaku-zuki jodan ferences between winners and defeated. Results revealed represented 53.12%. that (1) karate combat showed an overall action:rest ratio Overall time for fighting, preparatory, and stoppage of ~1:1.5, which increased to ~1:10 when high-intensity- activity, as well as values recorded according to match action:rest ratio was considered; (2) FT represented outcome, is presented in Table 1. ~6% of total combat duration and ~84% of them lasted Athletes used 13 ± 4 techniques during each combat, less than 2 seconds, with ~21 seconds of high-intensity with no significant difference between winners (14 ± 5) actions between 2 consecutive high-intensity actions; and defeated (12 ± 4). Karatekas performed 17 ± 7 high- (3) official karate combat generated high [La] and high intensity actions per combat, lasting from <1 second to HR; and (4) there was no significant difference between 5 seconds each, which corresponded to approximately winners and defeated regarding time–motion analysis 6 high-intensity actions per minute. There was no sig- and physiological responses. nificant difference (P > .05) in all types of actions used The current study findings suggest that karate ath- between winners and defeated karatekas. Upper- and letes use more upper-limb techniques than lower-limb lower-limb attack techniques for winners were 2 ± 1 and ones. According to Mudric,15 the low frequency of kick 2 ± 1, respectively. For defeated, upper- and lower-limb techniques can be explained by the longer trajectory, as attack techniques were 2 ± 1 and 1 ± 0, respectively. well as the time that is required for their execution com- Upper- and lower-limb counterattack techniques for win- pared with punches. These findings agree with those of

RPE 14 ± 2 13 ± 2 14 ± 2 (6–20 scale) La (mmol/L) 9.37 ± 1.81 10.9 ± 1.77 10.01 ± 1.88 Δ (mmol/L) post 11.29 ± 1.56* 11.07 ± 2.96* 11.18 ± 2.21* La

rest La (mmol/L) 1.94 ± 0.46 1.33 ± 0.32 1.73 ± 0.54 peak combat 93 ± 3 88 ± 7 91 ± 5 %HR

mean HR 180 ± 13 171 ± 12 177 ± 13 (beats/min)

peak combat 193 ± 8 193 ± 1 193 ± 8 (beats/min) HR ST (s) ST 16.3 ± 6.4 13.0 ± 3.1 15.4 ± 5.6 PT (s) 7.3 ± 2.8 8.9 ± 4.5 10.2 ± 5.6 FT (s) 1.8 ± 0.8 1.2 ± 0.3 1.5 ± 0.7 Duration of Different Karate Combat Phases and Physiological and Perceptive Responses in Relation to Match Outcome, Mean Outcome, Match to in Relation Responses and Perceptive Combat Phases and Physiological Karate of Different Duration Winners Defeated Overall Table 1 Table ± SD between La before and after the combat; time; HR, heart rate; La, blood lactate concentration; Δ difference stoppage activity time; ST, preparatory activity time; PT, fighting activity FT, Abbreviations: exertion. RPE, rating of perceived from before match ( P < .01). *Significant difference

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Koropanovski et al,16 who established that upper-limb When other striking combat sports were analyzed, techniques are predominant (89.1%) compared with results similar to those of the current findings were lower-limb ones (8.4%). In this study, the Kisami-zuki reported. Matsushigue et al7 established that the ratio represented 74.3% of upper-limb attack techniques, of high-intensity movements to low-intensity ones or 47.8% of all attack techniques, and 29.1% of overall used inactivity was approximately 1:6 for Songham tae kwon techniques. These data agree with those of Jovanovic do matches. Bridge et al21 found that the fighting-to- and Milosevic,17 who suggested a predominance of this nonfighting ratio was 1:6 during the 2005 Men’s World upper-limb technique due to its simplicity. Concerning Taekwondo Championship. Santos et al22 reported lower-limb techniques, data showed that Mawashi geri similar results (1:7) regarding the effort:pause ratio when chudan was the most-used technique, with 43.9% of reporting time–motion analysis from the 2007 World lower-limb attack techniques. This lower-limb attack Taekwondo Championship and 2008 Olympic Games. requires a short time to be performed compared with Unfortunately, to more deeply discuss the current study other lower-limb attacks, preventing opponent defensive results, there are no additional available studies dealing actions. Concerning counterattacks, Gyaku-zuki jodan with performance analysis of karate fighting activity. represented 54.8% of total. These findings corroborate Thus, karate combat is characterized by a very short other authors’ results, which revealed that 64.9% of period of high-intensity actions interposed by less intense Gyaku-zuki were applied during combat, in which 34.9% periods and/or pause with respect to what was shown by applications were on the trunk (chudan) and 32.0% were the current study for official combat sessions. on the head (jodan).18 Laird and McLeod19 reported that Data on energy demand of combat sports, and par- Gyaku-zuki to the body (chudan) represented the most ticularly karate, are scarce in the literature. [La] responses frequent technique, with 43.3% of all scores recorded to karate fight in our study were relatively high compared being through the execution of this technique. Hence, with those reported by Beneke et al2 and Iide et al3 during punch techniques appear to be more efficient and have karate combat simulation. There was no significant differ- greater chance to reach the target compared with kick ence between winners and defeated regarding postcombat techniques. This would explain the greater use of upper- [La] in the current study, confirming the findings from limb techniques during karate combat. Roschel et al,8 who reported [La] increases from 2.3 ± Total FT did not differ between winners and defeated 0.4 mmol/L to 5.1 ± 1.2 mmol/L in winners and from athletes and was similar to the values reported by Iide 1.8 ± 0.6 mmol/L to 5.2 ± 2.2 mmol/L in defeated karate et al.3 The duration of each FT ranged from less than 1 athletes during simulated combat with no significant dif- second to 5 seconds, which is similar to those established ference between them. The difference between the current by Beneke et al.2 In addition, these findings agree with results and the established one regarding [La] suggests other studies with tae kwon do athletes that demon- that the type of combat (simulation vs official) and the strated that the duration of an attack ranged from 1 to level of competition and athletes may affect glycolytic 5 seconds.9,20 system participation. These results agree with those of Results showed that high-level karate athletes Lehmann and Jedliczka,23 who found that the number of executed 17 ± 7 high-intensity actions per fight (~6 high- attacking and defending actions during combat simula- intensity actions per minute). These data are similar to tion was lower by 30% to 50% than that observed during those reported by Beneke et al2 and Iide et al.3 The major- authentic competition. This may explain why, under ity (83.8% ± 12.0%) of the current study FT lasted less official combat conditions, [La] was, most of the time, than 2 seconds. Bridge et al21 showed similar results (ie, higher by 10% to 40% compared with that recorded after 72% ± 16% of FT lasted less than 2 s) during tae kwon do combat simulation.23 The [La] recorded after karate fight combat. Beneke et al2 identified an activity-to-break ratio during the current study was slightly higher than that of approximately 2:1. Action-to-rest ratio in the current reported by Lehmann24 (9.0 ± 1.8 mmol/L) and Heller study was about 1:1.5, but when considering high-inten- et al25 for male tae kwon do competitors (11.4 ± 3.2 sity-action-to-rest ratio it increased to ~1:10. However, mmol/L) and Bouhlel et al20 (10.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L) for the performance analysis of karate combat in the study of male national-level tae kwon do athletes during simulated Beneke et al2 was not clear. The authors reported only that combat sessions. In addition, Beneke et al2 reported a each fight was recorded on videotape with no additional positive relationship (r = .49) between glycolytic energy information. In addition, the simulated character and the contribution and number of attacks per minute during a difference in karate fighting level between the current karate combat simulation, suggesting that more disputed study and that of Beneke et al2 may explain the difference matches should present higher glycolytic participation. between results. Action-to-rest ratio in the current study Thus, for athletes presenting a more offensive profile, characterizes the intermittent nature of official karate sequences of high-intensity actions should be added to combat. High-intensity actions (ie, attack and/or defense) their training program. are essentially a function of muscle explosive power.5 The HR values measured during competitive combat Thus, in top-level karate performance, the development sessions indicate the high cardiovascular demands of of the athletes’ anaerobic alactic system is important to karate. Nevertheless, there was no difference in cardio- perform attacking/defending techniques with extremely vascular strain between winners and defeated athletes. high-speed movement. Karate athletes during the current study spent 65% of the Time–Motion Analysis and Physiological Responses 307

time exercising at HR >90% of their individual HRpeak, analysis certainly indicates that the factors determining indicating that karate combat elicits a high level of car- karate success are to be found elsewhere. It is possible diovascular strain in elite athletes. that the timing of technique used could be determinant, The RPE has been well established as a valid tool for and, thus, future studies should aim at detecting the monitoring, prescribing, and regulating exercise intensity tactical and mental abilities that allow winners to reach and assessing training load,26 being presented as a valid victory while their time–motion patterns, physiological tool to assess global exercise intensity during karate.6 responses, and perception of effort are similar to those There was no significant difference in perception of of their defeated counterparts. effort between winners and defeated athletes, with RPE values (14 ± 2 [somewhat hard]) similar to those reported Acknowledgments by tae kwon do athletes during competitive matches.27,28 However, there was a clear dissociation between RPE The authors would like to thank the Tunisian Karate Federation and physiological load determined via HR and [La] to for granting access to the competitors during the competition karate combat. These results may indicate that karatekas and all athletes for their enthusiasm in the completion of this underestimate karate’s actual physiological intensity. study. We would like to think Dr Younés Hachana for the rel- This can be due to the fact that RPE can be influenced evant comments about this manuscript. The current study was supported by the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de by various physiological (eg, HR, ventilation, VO2, [La]) and psychological (eg, cognition, memory, previ- la recherche Scientifique, Tunisia ous experience, understanding of the task) mediators.29 Similar dissociation between physiological responses and References RPE has been established with elite female tae kwon do athletes27 and high-level male tae kwon do practitioners 1. World Karate Federation. New kata and kumite during an international competition28 and in novice and rules [version 7.1; online]. http://wkf.net/index. experienced men and women participating to tae kwon do php?option=com_content&view=article&id=328: training.30 Although the reasons for such responses are not new-kata-and-kumite-competition-rules-effective- clear, Bridge et al28 suggested that the attention directed 01012012&catid=42:wkf-news&Itemid=109. 2012. by the athletes to their opponents during the match would 2. Beneke R, Beyer T, Jachner C, Erasmus J, Hutler M. Ener- interfere with their perception of effort. getics of karate kumite. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;92:518– 523. PubMed doi:10.1007/s00421-004-1073-x 3. Iide K, Imamura H, Yoshimura Y, et al. Physiological Conclusion responses of simulated karate sparring matches in young and Practical Applications men and boys. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(3):839–844. PubMed doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31816a5af6 In summary, karate athletes have the tendency to use 4. Doria C, Veicsteinas A, Limouta E, et al. Energetics of upper-limb karate techniques much more than lower-limb karate (kata and kumite techniques) in top-level ath- ones. The intermittent nature of karate combat elicited letes. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2009;107:603–610. PubMed an action-to-rest ratio of 1:1.5, which increased to 1:10 doi:10.1007/s00421-009-1154-y when high-intensity-action-to-rest ratio was considered. 5. Chaabène H, Hachana Y, Franchini E, Mkaouer B, Chamari FT lasted from less than 1 second to 5 seconds and ~84% K. Physical and physiological profile of elite karate ath- lasted less than 2 seconds. Thus, some karate training letes. Sports Med. 2012;42(10):829–843. PubMed sessions should adopt this time frame as a reference, 6. Milanez VF, Spiguel-Lima MC, Gobatto CA, Perandini and karate athletes should be submitted mostly to short LA, Nakamura FY, Ribeiro LFP. 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