Fitness Profile of Indian Male Karate Players

Sedentary life style leads to onset of various health problems which cause reduction in bone density, muscle mass and physical fitness [1]. Different forms of martial arts, e.g., Judo, Tai Chi, Soo bahk do, Taekwondo, Karate etc. have gain ed worldwide popularity because of their beneficial effects to maintain the normal health [2,3]. Long term and short term practice of martial arts improved the high intensity effort (HIE), cardiorespiratory fitness and flexibility in Filipino athletes [4]. Karate is a trendy form of martial art that has gained in credible popularity in Korea, Japan, China and India. It is being used as a mean to boost self protection especially in some Western countries [1]. Training of Karate reduced the physiological disorders associated with aging and improve general fitness profile of older individuals due to its beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), HIE, muscle de ve lopment, muscular endurance, muscle strength, speed and motor ability [5,6]. VO2max plays a predominant role in Karate performance since it prevents fatigue during training as well as during the competitive events [5]. Japanese Karate practitioners performed this martial art as a precise technique to develop muscle mass, strength, power and motor skills [7]. Fitness profile of Karate players have been reported from different countries [2,3]. But pertinent data is unavailable in Indian Karate players. The present study was therefore aimed to evaluate the fitness profile parameters, e.g., morphological parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness in terms of VO2max, HIE, agility and flexibility in male Karate players of Kolkata, India and to compare the data with the sedentary control group and their overseas counterparts.