Acute physiological, endocrine, biochemical and performance responses associated with amateur boxing: A systematic review with meta-analysis: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

AbstractPrevious research has explored the demands of amateur boxing-specific activity; however, no holistic review of the acute responses to such activity currently exists. This systematic review aimed to provide a synthesis of the available literature on the acute physiological, endocrine, biochemical and neuromuscular responses to amateur boxing-specific activity. Following a search of EBSCOhost, SportDiscus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, 25 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria for the review. Methodological quality of the included studies were assessed via a modified Downs and Black checklist. Random-effects meta-analysis of standardised mean differences (SMD) revealed large (SMD = 4.62) increases in pre-post blood lactate (BLa), cortisol (SMD = 1.33), myoglobin (Mb) (SMD = 1.43) and aspartate transaminase (AST) (SMD = 1.37), in addition to moderate increases in creatine kinase (CK) (SMD = 0.65) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SMD = 0.97). Small pre-post increases in counter-movement jump (CMJ) height (SMD = 0.33) were observed. Consistently greater pre-post alterations were observed in competitive bouts, followed by sparring, when compared with boxing-specific simulations. Considerable physiological, endocrine and biochemical responses are elicited following amateur boxing. Interestingly, neuromuscular and task-specific performance may not deteriorate following boxing-specific activity. The findings of the review may assist in the designing and periodising of boxing-specific training, dependent on the desired physical adaptations, training phase and recovery status of the amateur boxer.