Maximal strength, sprint and jump performance in elite kumite karatekas.

Background: Both maximal muscle strength and muscle power are independently important for karatekas. However, the relationship between strength and power in elite male kumite karatekas is under researched. This study aimed to determine the relationship between back-leg-chest (BLC) isometric muscle strength with sprint and jump variables in elite male karatekas.
Methods: Male elite/international level (tier 4) kumite karatekas (n = 14; age, 20.79 ± 1.67 year; height, 1.77 ± 0.06 m; weight, 72.21 ± 5.20 kg) were recruited. BLC strength, sprint and jump values were measured with a dynamometer, a photocell, and an application, respectively. Pearson correlation (trivial r < 0.1; small r < 0.3; moderate r < 0.5; large r < 0.7; very large r < 0.9; nearly perfect/perfect r ≥ 0.9) and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship and shared variance between BLC strength, sprint, and jump performance.
Results: There were large to very large correlations between BLC strength and sprint time (r = - 0.930, p < 0.01), velocity (r = 0.918; p < 0.01), acceleration (r = 0.913; p < 0.01) and running momentum (r = 0.721; p < 0.01). Additionally, BLC strength correlated with jump height (moderate, r = 0.550, p < 0.05), peak anaerobic power (moderate, r = 0.672, p < 0.01) and power to body mass ratio (moderate, r = 0.545, p < 0.05). BLC strength and sprint variables showed an r ²  = 0.52-0.86 (p < 0.01), while BLC strength and jump variables showed an r ²  = 0.29-0.45 (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: BLC strength is related to jump and sprint performance in male elite karate athletes. This relationship underscores the importance of including strength training that targets BLC muscle strength in training programs for coaches and athletes.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All the procedures implemented in this study were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Inonu University, (approval number: 2024/1802). Informed consent forms were signed after the participants were informed of the study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)