Can Match-Mimicking Intermittent Practice Be Used as a Simulatory Training Mode of Competition Using Olympic Time Frame in Elite Taekwondo Athletes?

What Do Higher Alanine Aminotransferase Levels Mean in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency?

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between alanine aminotransferase and related biochemical parameters and potential risk factors in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This is a retrospective cohort study with 126 POI patients (including subclinical POI, n= 27) and 130 healthy controls who visited our clinic between April 2021 to November 2022. Associations were investigated by multiple linear regression, Person correlation analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and the independent t-test. When compared to controls, analysis of POI patients showed that body mass index (BMI), uric acid (UA) and urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte count (MONO), neutrophil count (NEUT), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were significantly higher, while estradiol (E2), the lymphocyte count and the AST/ALT ratio were lower (P < 0.05). According to linear correlation, it was clear that BMI, FSH, white blood cell count (WBC), NEUT, MONO, UA, AST, and NLR were positively associated with ALT (r = 0.215, 0.388, 0.195, 0.187, 0.184, 0.605, 0.819, and 0.189, respectively, all P < 0.05) while E2 was negatively associated with ALT (r = -0.278, P < 0.05). In addition, multiple linear regression revealed a significant, independent, and positive correlation between AST, FSH, and ALT (B =1.403 and 0.069, respectively, P < 0.05). Analysis revealed that the levels of ALT were significantly higher in POI patients. In addition, BMI, FSH, UA, AST, MONO, NLR, NEUT, and WBC were positively associated with ALT in POI patients. E2 was negatively associated with ALT. Multiple linear regression revealed an independent and positive correlation between AST, FSH, and ALT. In addition, there was also a risk of liver function damage in women with POI and subclinical POI. If patients were diagnosed with POI, early examination and corresponding intervention will be required to effectively prevent the further development of liver disease.

Comparing the effects of traditional resistance training and functional training on the bio-motor capacities of female elite taekwondo athletes

BACKGROUND

The capabilities of the biomotors are essential to the success of the taekwondo athlete. This study aimed to compare eight weeks of functional training and traditional resistance on the bio-motor capacities of elite female taekwondo athletes.

METHODOLOGY

Seventeen elite taekwondo athletes (mean age = 21.7 years, mean height = 167.2 cm and mean weight = 60.8 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups: functional training (FT) and traditional resistance training (TRT). Participants trained for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, for 75-90 min. Aerobic power, anaerobic power, speed, reaction time, agility, muscle power, dynamic balance, flexibility, upper and lower body muscle strength, core and upper body muscle endurance, and blood lactate level were measured before and after training programs.

RESULTS

Non-significant differences were observed in all indicators between the FT and TRT groups (P > 0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in time-related outcomes except for fatigue and flexibility (P > 0.05). There was significant progress in both groups in aerobic power, muscle power, speed, agility, reaction time, lower body strength, upper body strength, dynamic balance of the right leg, and dynamic balance of the left leg indices from pre to post-tests. The FT group displayed significant improvement in peak power (P = 0.006) and mean power (P = 0.015) from pre- to post-test.

CONCLUSION

Both interventions improved most biomotor abilities in elite female taekwondo athletes. It should be noted that since muscle power is vital for taekwondo, therefore, it is recommended to include FT in the taekwondo workout program.

Effects of two different doses of carbohydrate ingestion on taekwondo-related performance during a simulated tournament

Background

Carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion enhances exercise performance; however, the efficacy of CHO intake on repeated bouts of exercise simulating a taekwondo tournament is unknown. Therefore, the purpose was to compare the effects of two different doses of CHO on a sports-specific kicking test during a simulated taekwondo tournament compared to placebo (PLA).

Methods

In a double-blind, randomized-placebo controlled, cross-over trial, eleven junior male professional taekwondo athletes (age: 16 ± 0.8 years, body mass: 55.3 ± 7.3 kg) ingested one of three solutions: (i) high dose (C45): 45 g of CHO (60 g∙h^− 1), (ii) low dose (C22.5): 22.5 g of CHO (30 g∙h^− 1; both solutions containing 2:1 glucose:fructose), or a PLA immediately following each kicking test. The kicking test was repeated 5 times, separated by 45 mins of rest, simulating a typical taekwondo competition day. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and gastrointestinal discomfort (GI) scores were collected immediately after, and blood glucose before each test.

Results

The results revealed that C45 and C22.5 did not improve total, successful, or percentage of successful kicks compared to PLA (p > 0.05). Blood glucose was significantly higher following both CHO conditions compared with PLA across all five tests (p < 0.05). There were no differences between treatments or across tests for RPE (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

CHO intake, independent of the dose, did not alter taekwondo kick performance during a simulated taekwondo tournament.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training in Hypoxia on Taekwondo Performance

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of a 6-week taekwondo-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in simulated normobaric hypoxia on physical fitness and performance in taekwondoists.

METHODS

Eighteen male and female black-belt taekwondoists trained twice a week for 6 weeks in normoxia or in hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.143 O2). The HIIT was composed of specific taekwondo movements and simulated fights. Body composition analyses and a frequency speed of kick test during 10 seconds (FSKT10s) and 5 × 10 seconds (FSKTmult), countermovement jump (CMJ) test, Wingate test, and an incremental treadmill test were performed before and after training. Blood lactate concentrations were measured after the FSKTmult and Wingate tests, and a fatigue index during the tests was calculated.

RESULTS

A training effect was found for FSKT10s (+35%, P < .001), FSKTmult (+32%, P < .001), and fatigue index (-48%, P = .002). A training effect was found for CMJ height (+5%, P = .003) during the CMJ test. After training, CMJ height increased in hypoxia only (+7%, P = .005). No effect was found for the parameters measured during Wingate test. For the incremental treadmill test, a training effect was found for peak oxygen consumption (P = .002), the latter being 10% lower after than before training in normoxia only (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

In black-belt taekwondoists, hypoxic HIIT twice a week for 6 weeks provides tiny additional gains on key performance parameters compared with normoxic HIIT. Whether the trivial effects reported here might be of physiological relevance to improve performance remains debatable and should be tested individually.