The Benefits of Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a full-body, high-intensity interval workout that combines speed, strength, and endurance. Most routines require repeating quick punches and kicks. Depending on the program, kickboxing can focus on cardio, strength training, or both.
What does this kind of training do for your body? Cardio, short for cardiovascular, is any exercise that increases your heart rate, while strength training is any exercise designed to improve your strength or increase your muscle mass. Doing both at the same time has rich rewards.
Physiology Benefits of Kickboxing
Kickboxing, as with any high-intensity interval training (HIIT), makes your heart more efficient. It can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. How does HIIT do this? Kickboxing increases MAP, VO2 MAX, and anaerobic fitness.
Kickboxing increases maximal aerobic power or MAP. MAP is the ability of muscles to take up oxygen from the bloodstream. The more efficiently the muscles receive oxygen, the better they can metabolize that nutrient, and the more effectively the muscles will work.
Kickboxing expands VO2 MAX or the maximum volume of oxygen a person can use during exercise. It’s the volume of oxygen per weight of the person per time. VO2 MAX is a measurement of a person’s cardiorespiratory health. Basically, the…
