Tile heart rate (HR) and blood lactate response were studied on 26 sen
ior national level boxers in competitive bouts to explore the aerobic-
anaerobic metabolism as well as the training status of the players. Th
e aerobic capacity (VO2 max) of the players were determined using grad
ed running protocol on a treadmill. Heart rate and blood lactate conce
ntration were measured during warm up and boxing rounds. The mean rela
tive VO2 max of the heavy weight category boxers was tower (P < 0.05)
than the other two weight categories. No interweight category as well
as inter-round differences were observed in the heart rate and blood l
actate concentration of the boxers, excepting in the 48-57 kg category
, the mean lactate levels in the second and third rounds were higher (
P < 0.05) than in the first round. When all weight categories were poo
led the mean HR and blood lactate levels were 178 beats/min and 8.24 m
Mol/l respectively. The study highlights that in amateur boxing, irres
pective of the weight category and aerobic capacity, the anaerobic ada
ptability of the boxers was the same. The training requirements of the
boxers demand that they should be also to tolerate a high blood lacta
te level( approx. 9.0 mMol/l) and a high HR(approx. 180 beats/min) ove
r a total duration of one bout.