The anthropological model of an elite kickboxer

Study aim: The aim of this study was to develop an anthropological model of an elite kickboxer, providing a comprehensive description of a high-performance kickboxer’s anthropometric, motor, functional, and psychological characteristics, in order to better understand the optimal human traits and adaptations necessary for success in elite-level kickboxing.

Material and methods: The research was conducted on a sample of 50 kickboxing competitors. All participants were divided into two sub-samples: elite and sub-elite competitors. For the purposes of determining the model, descriptive and comparative statistics were applied to 23 variables, derived from four anthropological areas: motoric, morphological, functional, and psychological.

Results: All analyses and obtained point-biserial correlation coefficients indicate that the model of an elite kickboxer includes the following variables: maximum and relative force, muscle force of the forearm and hand, maximum oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold level, body height, neuroticism and psychoticism.

Conclusions: These results can help coaches improve the selection of elite kickboxers and talents, as well as enhance the programming of training.