Acute and Chronic Effects of Muscle Strength Training on Physical Fitness in Boxers: A Scoping Review
, Pablo Valdés-Badilla 3,4, Emerson Franchini 5, José Manuel GarcÃa-GarcÃa 6 and Tomás Herrera-Valenzuela 2,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsIn the Introduction, you should indicate which boxing you are referring to, as there are several international federations. Olympic boxing, for example, has different rules from conventional boxing.
It would be appropriate to indicate whether the study is directed to one type of punching or to all in general in order to centralize the focus of attention.
There is considerable variation in the methods between 12 and 35 years of age, which should be resolved in the results and discussion.
The heterogeneity of the resources used in the studies makes it difficult to specify the most appropriate boxing method, which should be reflected in the discussion.
The improvements described in the discussion may have biases from global or analytical strength studies, and it would be appropriate to state that this is a possibility even if it cannot be ratified. Otherwise, by the tone of the description, it seems that it is an irrefutable fact.
The same is true for acute effects. The search is adequate, and although PAPE works, the debate could be opened as to what is the most appropriate means of training to enhance this acute effect, as it occurs in this sport and in other practices.
It is suggested to better order the discussion section to facilitate reading, placing materials, types of exercises, and effects (this is an example); sometimes, it gives the impression of reading in a loop. It is more interesting that the text is related to the results of the study.
The conclusions should be somewhat more extensive, given the points developed in the discussion, extending more to the acute and chronic parts and the difference between the two.
It would be appropriate to include some limitations, such as the scarcity of the female sample.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors,
The present scoping review offers a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature within the field of acute and chronic effects of strength training in boxers identifying studies developed for this population and highlighting the effects on punching performance as well as on their physical fitness.
This specific topic could be relevant in order to optimize physical performance and reduce the percentage of injuries in boxers. This review also makes suggestions throughout the training cycle.
The methods are clearly described and authors provided the PRISMA-ScR checklist and included a PRISMA flowchart in the paper.
In my opinion the topic is relevant and is suitable for publication in the Special Issue: Advances in Sports Science: Physical Performance Diagnostics and Enhancement therefore, my recommendation is to Accept after Minor Revisions.
Therefore, my main points for revision and clarification are:
Minor editing of English language required.
Abstract: Since the discussion covers several topics, in my opinion the abstract should be more completed and related to the discussion.
Introduction: As the paper is a review, authors should highlight the gap in knowledge properly.
In the Conclusions section, in my opinion authors could enhance other significant results instead of repeating what was written in the paragraph before, regarding the female boxers. If authors want to make recommendations on this section, please provide more than 1, otherwise there is no logic in just indicate 1. Moreover, there are several suggestions for future studies during the discussion. Although I understand it, at the end of the paper it seems that lacks a structured section compiling the recommendations.
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageMinor editing of English language required.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis scoping review examines the acute and chronic effects of muscle strength training interventions on physical fitness in amateur boxers. The authors conducted a thorough literature search and analysis of 15 included studies, evaluating methodological quality, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence. Overall, the review provides a valuable synthesis of the current evidence on this topic and offers practical recommendations for strength training in boxers. The manuscript is in good shape. I only have a few comments that I hope the authors find useful.
Line 362-439. Please consider providing effect sizes or the actual mean and standard deviations besides solely listing p-values.
In the discussion section, please consider expanding on the potential reasons for the high risk of bias in most studies and how this impacts the interpretation of results.
There is a typo or mathematical error in Figure 1. Under screening process, the authors mentioned that “report sought for retrieval (n=0)” should this be n=50?
Author Response
Dear reviewer, please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
