The development of an amateur boxing simulation protocol Item Type Thesis or dissertation Authors Thomson, Edward Citation Thomson, E. (2015). The development of an amateur boxing simulation protocol. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Chester, United Kingdom. Publisher University of Chester Download date 25/09/2021 15:05:40 Item License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10034/613507 THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMATEUR BOXING SIMULATION PROTOCOL Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Chester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Edward Thomson 2015 The development of an amateur boxing simulation protocol Thesis submitted by Edward Thomson in accordance with the requirements of the University of Chester for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all work is in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. ………………………………………. (Signature) Abstract There is a dearth of research attempting to quantify the external (physical) and internal (physiological) demands of amateur boxing performance. Therefore, the purpose of this programme of research was to investigate the external demands of amateur boxing performance, and subsequently, develop a sport-specific simulation protocol that could replicate these demands and the accompanying physiological responses while appraising the reliability and validity of the attempt. To achieve this it was necessary initially to identify key offensive and defensive performance indicators and assess the intra- and inter-observer reliability with which such actions could be quantified. Intra-observer reliability was deemed excellent with high agreement (>92%) for all actions identified. Inter-observer reliability was less impressive (>75%), though remained consistently high nevertheless. Subsequently, research utilising this template quantified the offensive and defensive external demands and effectiveness (i.e. frequency of actions deemed successful) according to the independent and interactive influences of contest outcome, weight class and ability using post-contest video analysis. Main effects, two- and three-way interactions were established when appraising the frequency of actions and their outcomes in relation to the independent variables. Whilst the ability of the boxers evidenced the most prominent impact, contest outcome and weight class remained important influences for most actions. Moreover, substantial (CV >30%) within-group variation was evidenced implicating the role of boxer ‘styles’ and strategies in modifying the demands. The offensive and defensive demands were then supplemented with Global Positioning System (GPS) analyses of the boxers’ sport-specific time-displacement movements. Having established the GPS’s reliability and validity for assessing the boxing I movements, it was observed that boxers typically moved a distance of 35.9 m·min-1 at an average speed of 0.6 m·s-1. Such data was amalgamated with the technical demands to produce a boxing-specific simulation protocol that was reflective of the average competitive demand and thus had the potential to be a boxing conditioning and fitness test (BOXFIT). Despite providing the most valid external demand to-date, owing to confounding influences and within-group dispersion, application of the typical external demand was shown to afford only an approximation of the actual demands in all boxers. As such an issue is characteristic of simulation protocols, the BOXFIT was still employed to evaluate the physiological response and appraise the associated reliability and validity. The internal demand was characterised by a high aerobic cardiopulmonary -1 -1 -1 response (peak heart rate > 189 b·min ; peak 푉̇ O2 > 55 ml·kg ·min ) coupled with a marked indication of anaerobic energy provision (blood lactate = 4.6 ± 1.3 mmol·l-1). The reliability of the physiological responses elicited by BOXFIT performance was generally sufficient to enable the detection of moderate effects (i.e. 0.6 x pooled SD) and practically relevant changes in physiological and physical performance owing to training and nutritional interventions. However, the BOXFIT-induced responses underestimated selected markers of internal load (e.g. Mean heart rate ≈ -4.5%), questioning its validity. Thus, application of the average external demand typically approximated, rather than replicated, the actual physiology of boxing. With modifications, the validity of the external demands and internal response could be improved. The BOXFIT might therefore be used as part of a boxer’s conditioning, providing a sport-specific means of training and offers an ergonomic framework to assess the impact of systematic, intervention-based changes in boxing-specific exercise physiology. II Acknowledgements Given the support I have received throughout the duration of the PhD programme, it is important I acknowledge the many individuals that undoubtedly helped me along the (seemingly infinite) way! Firstly, my supervisors, Dr. Kevin Lamb and Dr. Ceri Nicholas. I am incredibly indebted to both of you, more so than I can express in a few sentences. Your knowledge, support and patience throughout the production of this work have been enormously appreciated. Your influence not only got me through my studies but has provided me with the necessary tools to move toward a long and successful career in academia (stranger things have happened….). Kevin, I even proof read this! Thank you both so much. Also, quick thanks to Dr. Craig Twist for proposing I consider a PhD, Dr. Jamie Highton for the occasional scientific ‘golden nugget’ provided and Professor Ken Green for shaping a department that has and will continue to be a pleasure to be part of. Thanks to the boxers and head coaches, particularly those of Wirral Community Police Amateur Boxing Club and the head coach Peter Phelan, for accommodating me with my enduring pinching, stabbing, masking etc. You are a great bunch of punch-drunk lads! To my Mum and Alec, your unwavering love and support throughout most aspects of my life is something I can only hope to emulate with my children. I could not have got anywhere near a finished thesis without your help over the years. I love you both. Nan (Bezza) and Grandad, your admiration of my academic achievements is endearing, and I thank and love you for also helping me when needed. Dad, your passing was devastating and there have been few days since that you have not crossed my thoughts. But, I am happy knowing you will be beaming with happiness right now, raising a glass (or twenty) on my behalf. I love and miss you. III Tia (aka little Tinhead/babidge), I have finally finished! Thank you for putting up with me and my ‘uni work’ and even managing to put an occasional smile on my miserable face. Eva (little Bean/Buddha), thank you for keeping me awake the last two months, just what I needed! I will however, forgive you as you are so cute! I am truly blessed to have you both in my life, I love you. Finally, my personal assistant, I mean loving wife, Jess! You are undoubtedly the most patient, loving and generous person I know and I am blessed to have you in my life. Without you, I probably would have finished a year ago and have a healthier bank balance but, I would not change a thing. I love you so much. P.s. Allan, you are my hero… Is that OK? IV List of contents Abstract I Acknowledgements III List of figures and tables IX Abbreviations XV Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Amateur boxing 2 1.2 Performance analysis and the technical demands of boxing 4 1.3 Automated analysis and ambulation in amateur boxing 7 1.4 Simulation protocols 8 1.5 Organisation of the thesis 11 Chapter 2: Review of literature 13 2.1 Background 14 2.2 The changing nature of amateur boxing competition 20 2.3 The physiological profile of an amateur boxer 28 2.4 The physiological demands of amateur boxing contests 33 2.5 The physiological demands of training in amateur boxing 37 2.6 The contribution of anaerobic energy provision 41 2.7 Nutrition and weight loss in amateur boxing 44 2.8 An introduction to performance analysis of sport 50 2.9 Methods of performance analysis 54 2.10 Performance analysis of boxing 59 2.11 Reliability issues in performance analysis 63 V 2.12 Performance profiling 68 2.13 From performance to laboratory and field-based analysis 71 2.14 Sport-specific simulations 76 2.15 Measurement and evaluation aspects of performance assessment 79 2.16 Validity and sport-specific simulation protocols 85 2.17 Boxing-specific performance tests and simulation protocols 87 2.18 Conclusions 91 Chapter 3: The development of a reliable amateur boxing performance 95 analysis template 3.1 Introduction 96 3.2 Methods 98 3.3 Results 109 3.4 Discussion 115 Chapter 4: Performance analysis of competitive amateur boxing 123 performance by contest outcome, weight classification and ability 4.1 Introduction 124 4.2 Methods 128 4.3 Results 139 4.4 Discussion 158 Chapter 5: Concurrent validity and test re-test reliability of a Global 173 Positioning System (GPS) for assessing boxing-specific movements 5.1 Introduction 174 5.2 Methods 176 5.3 Results 181 5.4 Discussion 185 VI Chapter 6: The development of an amateur boxing conditioning and fitness 191 test (BOXFIT) 6.1 Introduction 192 6.2 Methods 196 6.3 Results 204 6.4 Discussion 221 Chapter 7: The internal demand and reliability of the BOXFIT 233 7.1 Introduction 234 7.2 Methods 237 7.3 Results 245 7.4 Discussion 256 Chapter 8: The validity of the BOXFIT 269 8.1 Introduction 270 8.2 Methods 273 8.3 Results 277 8.4 Discussion 281 Chapter 9: Conclusions 291 9.1 Main findings 292 9.2 Limitations 296 9.3 Future directions 299 References 307 VII Appendices 345 Appendix 1 Details of the group sub-divisions within data chapter 4 according to the weight, contest format/duration, ring size and tournament.