| This study investigated whether noncontact cardio kickboxing can elicit sufficient intensities for the improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness and weight management. Cardiovascular and metabolic responses to a 22 min noncontact kickboxing routine were analyzed in 18 young fit women (mean VO2max = 40.5 +/- 5.0 ml O2/kg/min). Intensity during the kickboxing routine averaged 49 +/- 10% of oxygen uptake reserve, which is the lower end of the range recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. When the 22 minute routine was divided into segments (arms only, legs only, arms plus legs), the legs only and arms plus legs segments elicited higher intensities. Therefore, it was concluded that noncontact kickboxing exercise sessions should be designed to include predominantly leg exercises combined with some arm movements and to avoid exercises that use arms only. Average caloric expenditure was 7 kcal/min. Thus, over 300 kcal would be expended during a 45 minute workout, meeting the recommendation for weight management. |
