Authors
Antonio Beira De Andrade Junior, Rehabilitation Sciences Postgraduate Program, Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Elena Marie Peixoto Ruthes De Andrade, Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Technology (UTFPR), Curitiba, BRAZIL
Patrícia Dos Santos Vigário, Rehabilitation Sciences Postgraduate Program, Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Cesar Antonio Luchesa, Rehabilitation Center, University Center Fundação Assis Gurgacz (FAG), Cascavel, BRAZIL
João Eduardo De Azevedo Vieira, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Positive University (UP), Curitiba, Paraná, BRAZIL
Igor Ramathur Telles De Jesus, Rehabilitation Sciences Postgraduate Program, Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Agnaldo Jose Lopes, Rehabilitation Sciences Postgraduate Program, Augusto Motta University Center (UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 428-442, 2025.
DOI: 10.70252/PPGL4101
Abstract
In martial arts, heart rate variability (HRV) measurements can potentially be used to assess injury risk and susceptibility to fatigue. Muay Thai uses the Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT) to measure kick speed, but it is unknown whether better fitness results in improved autonomic function and body composition, which may affect athletic performance and recovery. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between FSKT, HRV, and body composition measures in amateur Muay Thai fighters. This is a cross-sectional study with 37 Muay Thai fighters. They underwent FSKT-10s and multiple FSKT to measure the kick fatigue index (KFI). In addition, body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and HRV using a heart rate monitor. When comparing the values before and during the FSKT-10s, there was a decrease in the percentage of interval differences of consecutive successive NN intervals greater than 50 ms (pNN50), approximate entropy, and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) index, with an increase in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) index. The number of kicks assessed by FSKT-10s positively correlated with fat-free mass (FFM) and low frequency (LF) of the HRV assessment. The KFI correlated negatively with the FFM and PNS index, and positively with the LF and SNS index. When amateur Muay Thai fighters perform the FSKT-10s, there is an acute effect on autonomic modulation with increased sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal. FFM and sympathetic activation are related to performance and susceptibility to fatigue. These results indicate the importance of assessing HRV in Muay Thai fighters to improve performance.
Recommended Citation
De Andrade Junior, Antonio Beira; De Andrade, Elena Marie Peixoto Ruthes; Vigário, Patrícia Dos Santos; Luchesa, Cesar Antonio; De Azevedo Vieira, João Eduardo; De Jesus, Igor Ramathur Telles; and Lopes, Agnaldo Jose (2025) “Relationships Between Performance in the Frequency Speed Kick Test, Heart Rate Variability, and Body Composition in Amateur Muay Thai Fighters,” International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 18 : Iss. 6, Pages 428 – 442.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70252/PPGL4101