Anaerobic exercises are those that require more energy to perform than the body can produce through respiration. Aerobic exercises are maintained in balance with an increase in breathing and heart rate. Boxing is an anaerobic and aerobic sport. Fighters must endure lengthy periods of physical exertion and also bear short, intense bursts of activity during a match. The anaerobic element of boxing promotes strength, endurance and healthy bone structure.
Heated Exchanges
During the course of a boxing match, there are times when both fighters trade punches in a hectic barrage of activity. In these moments, a boxer's physiology literally starves for oxygen. He is able fight on, however, because the body begins to rely on stores of carbohydrates for energy. When a boxer's muscles are forced to perform at an energy level that exceeds respiratory activity, they release lactic acid, a biochemical that causes muscle cramping and fatigue. Anaerobic training improves the body's ability to process lactic acid, helping a fighter delay fatigue as long as possible.
Power Punching
When a boxer throws a significant number of powerful punches in a short period of time, his body enters the anaerobic phase. Hitting with force places a huge workload on the muscles involved. These muscles then begin to draw in more oxygen and fuel. The body's ability to meet its needs in this manner is reduced and it begins to metabolize energy anaerobically.
Strength Training
Boxers often perform a regular strength-training regimen in the gym designed to increase anaerobic conditioning and improve the body's ability to manage lactic acid. A fighter will often integrate weightlifting into his everyday workout routine, along with various calisthenic exercises like pushups, pullups and crunches. By executing maneuvers that frequently require anaerobic metabolism, a boxer's body will adjust by increasing his ability to sustain concentrated activity.
Gym Work
During training, a fighter will also perform various drills and maneuvers that place his body in an anaerobic state. Sparring is an activity that requires short bursts of intense action, followed by moderate periods of rest. Sprinting is another technique that a boxer will employ to increase anaerobic capacity and shorten the time his body needs to recover. Many skill-improvement exercises, like bag work and mitt drills, also contain anaerobic elements that improve a boxer's ability to perform.
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