Boxing is an ancient and modern sport, which is not only a competitive combat sport, but also an effective way to get fit. Boxing players need to have strong physical fitness, strength, speed, agility, endurance and explosiveness, all of which are related to the way the sport is fed. So, is boxing considered aerobic exercise?The answer is: boxing is both aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
Aerobic exercise refers to the physical exercise carried out by the human body under the condition of sufficient oxygen, that is, during the exercise, the oxygen inhaled by the human body is equal to the demand to achieve a physiological equilibrium state. Aerobic exercise is characterized by low or moderate intensity, long duration, whole-body exercise, or exercise in which the body is largely involved. The main energy contributors to aerobic exercise are fats and sugars, which produce energy through aerobic metabolism while producing water and carbon dioxide, which are excreted from breathing and sweating. The main effects of aerobic exercise are to improve cardiopulmonary function, enhance blood circulation, improve metabolism, consume excess fat, lose weight, prevent cardiovascular diseases, enhance immunity, relieve stress, improve psychological state, etc.
Anaerobic exercise refers to the physical exercise carried out by the human body in the case of insufficient oxygen, that is, during exercise, the human body inhales less oxygen than needed, resulting in a physiological imbalance. Anaerobic exercise is characterized by high exercise intensity, short exercise duration, explosive movements, or movement of local muscles. The main energy contributor to anaerobic exercise is sugar, which produces energy through anaerobic metabolism while producing lactic acid, which accumulates in muscles. The main effects of anaerobic exercise are to increase muscle strength, speed, explosiveness, endurance, increase muscle volume, shape muscle lines, improve muscle tolerance, increase muscle energy storage, etc.
Boxing can be seen as a comprehensive sport that contains both aerobic characteristics and a certain anaerobic component. In boxing training, boxers have to perform long, high-intensity exercises such as continuous running, jumping rope, and boxing combinations. These exercises require high-intensity cardiovascular endurance and endurance training to enhance cardiopulmonary fitness, improve blood circulation, and the ability to deliver oxygen to the muscles. Therefore, from the perspective of aerobic exercise, boxing can be considered as an aerobic exercise. On the other hand, in a boxing match, a boxer needs to attack his opponent with quick and powerful punches, which can effectively deplete the opponent's physical energy and cause damage to the opponent. These punches require strong muscle strength, speed, explosiveness, and endurance to meet the body's energy needs. Therefore, from the perspective of anaerobic exercise, boxing can also be considered as an anaerobic exercise.
To sum up, boxing is both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Boxing athletes need to balance aerobic and anaerobic exercises to improve their overall fitness. Aerobic exercise can help boxers improve cardiopulmonary fitness, enhance physical fitness, and prolong the fighting time, while anaerobic exercise can help boxers increase muscle strength, improve attack power, and shorten the fighting time. Boxing players should develop a reasonable training plan according to their characteristics and goals, combining aerobic and anaerobic exercises to achieve the best results.