Time-Motion Analysis of the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships Finals.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated boxers' activity profiles during the final matches (3 × 3 min format) of the IBA 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships.

METHODS

Footage of the 12 finals was used to analyse the frequency and duration of fighting (F), punching (P), clinching (C), no-fighting (NF), and arbitral interruption (AI) phases. The analysis was conducted both for weight categories and divisions (lightweight (LWC): 48, 50, 52, 54, 57, and 60 kg; middleweight (MWC): 63, 66, 70, and 75 kg; heavyweight (HWC): 81 and 81+ kg).

RESULTS

Pooled data per round revealed significant differences for P (<0.001), C ( = 0.002), NF ( < 0.001), and AI ( < 0.001) phases, as well for P mean duration across rounds ( < 0.001). The MWC division showed significantly shorter F duration compared with the LWC ( = 0.007) and MWC divisions (<0.001). The F/NF total time ratio showed a prevalence of F in the 48, 50, 63, and 81+ kg categories, while NF prevailed in the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories.

CONCLUSIONS

While HWC primarily relied on C actions, the 54, 57, 60, and 75 kg categories showed higher NF frequency. This fact explains a different strategic match management approach with deliberate rhythm, controlled pauses, and opponent analysis, which coaches should consider for enhancing athletes' performance by considering weight categories.