Title: Boxing training effects on cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with prehypertension.
Purpose: Boxing training is a type of exercise that involves high cardiovascular demands in an enjoyable environment. Previously, boxing training has shown to have excellent cardiovascular outcomes in obese population, however, research regarding the effects of boxing training on cardiovascular health in individuals with high blood pressure is scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a boxing training intervention on maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max), power output, and lactate and ventilatory thresholds in individuals suffering from prehypertension.
Methods: A total of 14 subjects with prehypertensive were randomly assigned to a boxing intervention group or a control group. The intervention had a duration of 6 weeks, meeting 3 sessions weekly. Each boxing session consisted on 10 rounds of 3 minutes and 1 minute rest in between. From those 10 rounds, 3 were set at 95%VO₂max and 7 at 60% VO₂max. Before and at the end of the intervention, all subjects completed a graded maximal exercise test on an arm-crank ergometer in which VO₂max, power output, and lactate and ventilatory thresholds were obtain.
Results: At the end of the intervention, there were significant improvements on power output (p=0.002), ventilatory threshold (p=0.002), and lactate threshold (p=0.001) in the boxing group compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a significant reduction on VO2max in the control group (p=0.04).
Conclusion:
Individuals with prehypertension who underwent 6 weeks of boxing training improve the peripheral component of their cardiovascular fitness based on a significant enhancement in their lactate thresholds and ventilatory thresholds, which in turn produces power output increments. Boxing training may be a suitable exercise alternative to be prescribed in high blood pressure population.