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The Influence of Anthropometric Characteristics on Heart Rate Responses During Different Boxing Exercises in Male Recreational Boxers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding how anthropometric characteristics influence internal load during boxing remains limited, despite heart rate (HR) being a key indicator of exercise intensity. This study examined the relationship between anthropometry and HR responses during three boxing-specific exercises—shadowboxing, pad work, and heavy bag work—in 39 male practitioners (29.0 ± 2.3 years). Body height (BH), body mass (BM), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. HR_peak and HR_mean were recorded using a validated chest-strap monitor (Polar H10). Significant positive correlations were observed between BH, BM, BMI, and HR responses across all modalities, with the strongest associations during heavy bag work (e.g., HR_peak: BH r = 0.658, BM r = 0.681, BMI r = 0.677; all p < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated that BH explained 23–36% of HR variance during shadowboxing and pad work, whereas BM and BMI showed greater predictive capacity during heavy bag work, explaining up to 46% of HR_peak variance. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between modalities, with heavy bag work eliciting the highest intensities (p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that greater anthropometric dimensions are associated with higher cardiovascular responses, supporting individualized training prescriptions based on morphological characteristics.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app16062875

Authors: Manuel Pinto, João Crisóstomo, Luís Monteiro

Institutions: Universidade Lusófona, Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Homeland Security

Language: English

Topic: Sports Performance and Training

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896