2022, Volume 18, Issue 1
The efficiency and transversality of traditional boxing skills to several full-contact combat sports: a narrative review
Fernando C Loio Pinto1, Daniel Marinho2, José E Teixeira3, Pedro Forte4, Henrique P Neiva2, Luís Branquinho5, Ricardo Ferraz2
1Sport Science School of Rio Maior (ESDRM), Polytechnic Institute of Santarém (IPS), Santarém, Portugal | WUFC World Ultimate Full Contact – Association, Viseu, Portugal
2Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) | Department of Sports Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Covilhã, Portugal
3Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, Portugal | Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Bragança, Portugal
4Sport Department, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), Penafiel, Portugal | Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, Portugal | Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic In, Covilhã, Portugal
5Sport Department, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro (ISCE Douro), Penafiel, Portugal | Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Covilhã, Portugal
Author for correspondence: Ricardo Ferraz; Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) | Department of Sports Sciences, University of Beira Interior (UBI), Covilhã, Portugal; email: ricardompferraz@gmail.com
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Despite the well-known efficiency of the boxing art, research focused on the effectiveness of boxing skills used in other full-contact combat sports remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed is knowledge about the effectiveness of boxing skills in other full-contact combat sports.
Material and Methods: The critical analyse was based on qualified 57 articles. The search was performed in the databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using a Boolean operator through specific combinations of keywords. Narrative review using the following approach was performed: i) characterizing the technical-tactical basics of boxing skills in attack, counterattack (as a specific form of defence), and defence (other way of defence than by counterattack); ii) reporting their use ("how?", "why?", "when?") according to the characteristics and rules of combat sports other than Western boxing; ii) characterizing the conditional, coordinative, and psychological capabilities adequate to maintain the technical-tactical performance of boxing throughout the combat.
Results: Combinations of technical and tactical preparation of boxers with various elements of the impact of training on their organism are emphasized: coordination, synchronization of segmental and spatio-temporal movements; adjusted physical efforts (especially high-intensity intermittent); cognitive and ecological dynamics, such as perception, concentration, anticipation, timing, opportunities seizing, adequate and automated resources, adaptation or creativity. The potential of boxing skills is extended to other compatible combat sports.
Conclusions: Traditional/classic boxing skills are efficient method of attack/counterattack and defence in full-contact combat sports, being the blows (i.e., fist strikes) that most contribute to the outcomes of the fights by knockout. Additionally, boxing skills support the performance of other combat skills (e.g., controlling distances, establishing fluid and powerful combinations, preparing kicks, knee strikes or takedowns in an unpredictable and fast way, facilitating anticipated or simultaneous counterattacks). This study offers relevant references to improve the intervention of coaches and consequently optimize and maximize the performance of fighters, as well as an interesting framework for future research.
Key words: ultimate full contact, sanda, sambo, pankration, kickboxing, combat sports, punching efficiency
