Comparison of postural balance between professional tae kwon do athletes and young adults

ANALYSIS OF POSTURAL BALANCE IN CHILDREN WHO PRACTICE AND THOSE WHO DO NOT PRACTICE SPORTS ACTIVITIES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Postural balance is essential for activities of daily living and sports performance in all life phases, but it remains unknown whether the regular practice of sports activities can improve postural balance in children. Objective: To evaluate postural balance in children who practice and those who do not practice regular sports activities. Methods: The sample consisted of 60 children (7-13 years of age) divided into two groups: participants in sports activities (n = 30) and non-participants in sports activities (n = 30). The level of physical activity was assessed by applying the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and static postural balance was assessed on the BIOMEC400-412 strength platform in bipedal and unipedal support. Results: No significant difference was observed between the groups in age, height or body mass index (p > 0.05). However, the groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the level of physical activity. The practicing sports group was characterized as active and the non-practicing group as sedentary. The practicing sports group had better postural balance in both bipedal and unipedal support compared to the non-practicing group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The practice of regular sports activities improves postural balance in children from 7 to 13 years of age. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic study - Investigating a diagnostic test.

Physical, physiological and psychological profiles of elite Turkish taekwondo athletes

Study aim: To identify the physical, physiological and psychological profiles of elite Turkish taekwondo athletes.

Material and methods: Twelve players of the Turkish national taekwondo team (age = 22.7 ± 2.8 years, BMI = 22.2 ± 1.4 kg/m2, body fat = 12.8 ± 3.4%) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements including leg length and foot size were assessed. Maximal oxygen uptake, explosive power of leg extensors, isokinetic peak torque, muscular endurance, anaerobic power, agility, flexibility, maximal speed, reaction time, and postural balance were examined by incremental treadmill running, vertical jump, isokinetic strength, sit-ups and push-ups, Wingate, shuttle run, sit-and-reach, 30-meter sprint, multiple-choice reaction time, and General Postural Stability and Athlete Single Leg stability tests, respectively. Psychological characteristics including mental skills and mood states were evaluated using OMSAT-3 and POMS tests.

Results: VO2max, isokinetic peak torque and Wingate test mean power values were 54.1 ± 4.4 mL ∙ kg−1 ∙ min−1, 191.7 ± 19.2 N ∙ m, and 9 ± 0.7 W/kg, respectively. Postural stability index 0.18 ± 0.06, single leg stability index 0.82 ± 0.11, reaction time 0.344 ± 0.032 s, 10 × 5-m shuttle run 17.09 ± 0.68 s, 30-meter sprint 4.60 ± 0.23 s, and vertical jump 43.5 ± 6.1 cm were the other values reported. The highest scores for the 12 mental skills in OMSAT-3 were for goal setting (6.25 ± 0.45) and self-confidence (6.16 ± 0.45). The lowest score was for Imagery (5.64 ± 0.36). The results of six mood states of POMS showed higher scores on the Vigor-activity, Anger-Hostility and Tension-Anxiety scales and lower scores on Depression-Dejection, Fatigue-Inertia and Confusion-Bewilderment than norms.

Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed the physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics in taekwondo. The results of the tests could be useful for performance assessment of taekwondo players.

ATLETAS DE TAEKWONDO TÊM MELHOR CONTROLE POSTURAL DO QUE ATLETAS DE HANDEBOL E FUTEBOL AMERICANO

RESUMO Introdução: O controle postural é um pré-requisito importante para o desempenho do atleta no esporte. Além disso, o sistema de controle postural contribui para a prevenção de lesões. Déficits nesse sistema podem levar a instabilidade corporal e sobrecarga das estruturas musculoesqueléticas, gerando disfunção e dor. Objetivos: A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar o controle postural em três diferentes modalidades esportivas: taekwondo, handebol e futebol americano. Métodos: Todos os atletas executaram o teste de equilíbrio unipodal sobre uma plataforma de força nos membros inferiores direito e esquerdo. Foram realizados três testes de trinta segundos cada, com os olhos abertos. A média dos três testes foi utilizada para mensurar os parâmetros de controle postural, centro de pressão e velocidade dos deslocamentos anteroposteriores e mediolaterais. Resultados: Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre os três grupos em todos os parâmetros analisados (P = <0,04). A análise post hoc revelou que os atletas de taekwondo tiveram melhor controle postural (P = < 0,035) dos membros inferiores em comparação com as outras duas modalidades. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre o handebol e o futebol americano. Conclusão: Os atletas do taekwondo têm melhor controle postural durante o teste de equilíbrio unipodal do que os atletas do handebol e do futebol americano.