A Study on the Aerobic Abilities of University Men’s Kendo Athletes:

Focusing on maximum oxygen uptake and blood lactate concentration

Abstract

    Kendo is a competitive sport in which two players compete for valid strikes using bamboo swords (shinai). During competitions, it is important for the players to be quick and agile while manipulating the shinai forcefully. Therefore, Kendo players need to practice and train hard every day. However, there are a few studies emphasizing on the appropriate exercise prescription for Kendo players, and the necessity to collect their physiological data for ensuring their safety during practice and training.
    This study included 10 healthy male athletes from the Kendo Club of University N who had participated in national competitions during their high school or college. Their maximal oxygen uptake and blood lactate concentration were measured to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of training methods for improving their competitive performance. In addition, since there is no established protocol for estimating the maximum oxygen uptake of kendo athletes, we decided to experimentally verify the validity of the protocol set in this study. The participants performed an all-out test using the pedaling motion of a bicycle ergometer.
    The results showed that the measured maximal oxygen uptake values were lower than that of the previous study. Furthermore, the measured blood lactate concentration values suggested that the metabolic capacity of glycolysis was high and that of aerobic respiration was low. These findings suggested that in addition to the Kendo-specific technical training of the players from University N, there is a need to incorporate training methods that will enhance their aerobic capacity and performance. Also, it is desirable to set a protocol for the all-out test for kendo players that leads to all-out in a short time.