Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review

Abstract Background This qualitative analysis aimed to: identify the physical and physiological factors that characterize elite WKF kumite and kata athletes, identify testing protocols that are used to examine the above mentioned profiles of WKF karatekas and indicate the variables that are signific...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eliza Gaweł, Miłosz Drozd, Adam Zając
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01047-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1841544376556191744
author Eliza Gaweł
Miłosz Drozd
Adam Zając
author_facet Eliza Gaweł
Miłosz Drozd
Adam Zając
author_sort Eliza Gaweł
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This qualitative analysis aimed to: identify the physical and physiological factors that characterize elite WKF kumite and kata athletes, identify testing protocols that are used to examine the above mentioned profiles of WKF karatekas and indicate the variables that are significant for elite-level performance. Methods A search of electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus) was conducted to identify all studies on physical and physiological profile in elite karatekas from 2012 to 2024. A JBI Qualitative Data Extraction Tool for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence was fulfilled in order to determine which variables should be extracted. The quality of the included studies was assessed based on the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results 164 full-text articles were evaluated to determine eligibility, while 20 met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed analysis, including risk of bias assessment. Finally, 17 full-text articles were included in the qualitative analysis. The following motor abilities and physiological components were evaluated by researchers: muscular strength (n = 8) muscular power (n = 11), speed (n = 8), agility (n = 6), flexibility (n = 6), aerobic metabolism (n = 9), anaerobic metabolism (n = 5). Conclusions The force-velocity characteristics with the dominant effect of the velocity component seem to be crucial in regard to performance outcomes in WKF karatekas. Moreover, elite karatekas are characterized by high flexibility of the hamstring muscles and well developed speed and agility abilities. The efficiency of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism is significant for high-performance in elite WKF kumite athletes, however aerobic capacity may be crucial. It is difficult to confirm the impact of the above mentioned energy systems on kata performance. Athlete’s age category and sex-related variables may affect the level of the analyzed motor abilities.
format Article
id doaj-art-a28693aab0344264a18e10d380ef1d54
institution Kabale University
issn 2052-1847
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
spelling doaj-art-a28693aab0344264a18e10d380ef1d542025-01-12T12:34:44ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-01-0117112410.1186/s13102-024-01047-5Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic reviewEliza Gaweł0Miłosz Drozd1Adam Zając2Institute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceInstitute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceInstitute of Sport Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in KatowiceAbstract Background This qualitative analysis aimed to: identify the physical and physiological factors that characterize elite WKF kumite and kata athletes, identify testing protocols that are used to examine the above mentioned profiles of WKF karatekas and indicate the variables that are significant for elite-level performance. Methods A search of electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus) was conducted to identify all studies on physical and physiological profile in elite karatekas from 2012 to 2024. A JBI Qualitative Data Extraction Tool for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence was fulfilled in order to determine which variables should be extracted. The quality of the included studies was assessed based on the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results 164 full-text articles were evaluated to determine eligibility, while 20 met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed analysis, including risk of bias assessment. Finally, 17 full-text articles were included in the qualitative analysis. The following motor abilities and physiological components were evaluated by researchers: muscular strength (n = 8) muscular power (n = 11), speed (n = 8), agility (n = 6), flexibility (n = 6), aerobic metabolism (n = 9), anaerobic metabolism (n = 5). Conclusions The force-velocity characteristics with the dominant effect of the velocity component seem to be crucial in regard to performance outcomes in WKF karatekas. Moreover, elite karatekas are characterized by high flexibility of the hamstring muscles and well developed speed and agility abilities. The efficiency of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism is significant for high-performance in elite WKF kumite athletes, however aerobic capacity may be crucial. It is difficult to confirm the impact of the above mentioned energy systems on kata performance. Athlete’s age category and sex-related variables may affect the level of the analyzed motor abilities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01047-5StrengthPowerSpeedKumiteKataAerobic capacity
spellingShingle Eliza Gaweł
Miłosz Drozd
Adam Zając
Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Strength
Power
Speed
Kumite
Kata
Aerobic capacity
title Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
title_full Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
title_fullStr Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
title_short Current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite WKF karate athletes: a systematic review
title_sort current trends in physical and physiological profile of elite wkf karate athletes a systematic review
topic Strength
Power
Speed
Kumite
Kata
Aerobic capacity
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01047-5
work_keys_str_mv AT elizagaweł currenttrendsinphysicalandphysiologicalprofileofelitewkfkarateathletesasystematicreview
AT miłoszdrozd currenttrendsinphysicalandphysiologicalprofileofelitewkfkarateathletesasystematicreview
AT adamzajac currenttrendsinphysicalandphysiologicalprofileofelitewkfkarateathletesasystematicreview