Energy demands during competition of Thai national Sepak Takraw athletes

Abstract

This research is aimed to study the energy demands during competition match-play of Thai national athletes. Fifteen females national Sepak Takraw players wore a Polar Accurex Plus telemetric heart rate monitor during match-play and also completed a laboratory based incremental cycle ergometer test to establish maximal oxygen uptake (VC2max). The heart rate data from competition were compared with heart rate and oxygen uptake data measured in laboratory. Individual regression equations were established from these data to estimate the energy expenditure during competitive match-play. It was found that, the mean heart rate during competition was 140±8 beats/min (mean ± SD). The mean estimated oxygen uptake during competition was 22±5 ml/kg/min which corresponded to 54±5% of the group's mean maximal oxygen uptake of 42±5 ml/kg/min. The mean estimated energy expenditure throughout an entire match was 1133 kJ (271 kcal). The mean energy contribution of anaerobic system (LA), anaerobic-aerobic system (LA-02), and aerobic system (O2), were 25%, 43%, and 32%, respectively (75% Anaerobic and 25% Aerobic systems). This study tends to be the guideline for making recommendations regarding the intensity and type of exercise that should be employed during training programmes.