FLUID BALANCE DURING TAEKWONDO TRAINING

The Cognitive Function and Taekwondo-Specific Kick Performance of Taekwondo Athletes at Different Hydration Statuses

PURPOSE

Successful participation in taekwondo (TKD) requires athletes to possess quick decision-making abilities and demonstrate technical proficiency during competition. Dehydration, occurring during both training and competition, is widely recognized to have various negative effects.

METHODS

This study investigated the impact of different levels of dehydration on cognitive function, as measured by the Vienna Test System, and the specific performance of kicking techniques among TKD athletes. Using a randomized crossover design, 12 participants were involved in the study. Before and after 1 hour of training at 80% of maximal heart rate, participants were weighed and provided urine samples. All participants were randomly assigned to 3 different hydration conditions: the euhydrated (EUH) group had unrestricted access to fluid consumption, while the hypohydrated (HYP) and severely HYP (S-HYP) groups experienced reductions of 2.0% and 4.0% of their initial body weight, respectively.

RESULTS

The EUH group exhibited better reaction speed in reaction-time test-form S1 than the HYP and S-HYP groups. Notably, the EUH group demonstrated a significantly higher success rate in the front-side kick (EUH 98%, HYP 90%, S-HYP 88%; P < .05). However, the success rates of back roundhouse kick and free head kick were similar among the 3 statuses. Furthermore, postexercise heart rates were found to be significantly higher in the HYP and S-HYP groups compared with the EUH group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insight into the negative effects of dehydration on cognitive function and TKD-specific performance. It is recommended that TKD athletes maintain optimal hydration levels during training and competition to ensure optimal performance.

THE INFLUENCE OF STRENGTH TRAINING ON TAEKWONDO ATHLETES’ REACTION SPEED

ABSTRACT Introduction: Taekwondo is a skill-oriented confrontational event. Athletes’ physical fitness and flexible changes in skills and tactics have become the cornerstone of athletes’ victory. Objective: The objective was to explore the influence of strength training on the reaction speed of boxing athletes. Method: 8 master-class Taekwondo athletes, 16 first-class Taekwondo athletes, and 30 second-class Taekwondo athletes from a particular province were selected as Group A, B, and C. The control groups were Group A1, B1, and C1. Results: Group B athletes showed significant changes in 15s front kick and 15s high leg lift. Group C athletes showed highly significant differences in rapid strength. After the traditional fast strength training in the control group, all the Group C1 had significant changes in the test. However, Group B1 athletes only had substantial changes in 15s down split and 15s front kick. There was no significant change in all indexes of Group A1 athletes before and after the experiment. Conclusion: The analysis of experimental data shows that core strength training significantly improves the reaction speed of Taekwondo athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SPORTS INJURIES IN TAEKWONDO ATHLETES IN PHYSICAL TRAINING

ABSTRACT Introduction: Taekwondo is one of the main events of the Olympic Games. It mainly uses hands and feet for fighting or confrontation and the competition is extremely fierce. Therefore, Taekwondo is more prone to muscle, bone, and joint sports injuries. Objective: To understand the characteristics of taekwondo sports injuries. Methods: Using the literature and questionnaire survey methods, mathematical statistics is used to investigate the sports injuries of young Taekwondo athletes. Results: Among 100 young Taekwondo athletes, 93individuals had different degrees of sports injuries, accounting for 93%, and 7had no sports injuries, accounting for only 7%. The total number of injuries was 160 or 1.6injuries per capita. Conclusions: Athletes should improve their ideological understanding and training level and pay attention to the timely treatment of acute injuries, which can effectively reduce sports injuries. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.