Energy expenditure of a noncontact boxing training session compared with submaximal treadmill running

The aim of this study was to determine the energy expenditure of a 1-h noncontact boxing training session and to compare these results with the energy expenditure of a more conventional recreational activity such as running. Eight healthy males, accustomed to noncontact boxing training, were recruited for the study. Subjects underwent three tests: (i) a boxing training session in the laboratory during which energy expenditure was measured continuously using indirect calorimetry (BOXL), (ii) a boxing training session in a boxing studio during which heart rate was measured continuously (BOXS), and (iii) an incremental running test on the treadmill during which energy expenditure was measured continuously. The energy expenditure during 60 min of BOXL ranged between 2519 and 3079 kJ (2821 +/- 190 kJ). Seven of the 8 subjects had higher heart rates during BOXL compared with those during BOXS, suggesting that the subjects exercised at a slightly higher intensity during BOXL, possibly because of the "one on one" supervision. A typical boxing training session lasting 60 min causes a person to expend 2821 +/- 190 kJ x h(-1), the same amount of energy as someone running about 9 km in 60 min on the treadmill.