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Anaerobic capacity of elite Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes
Science & Sports 21 (2006) 291–293 http://france.elsevier.com/direct/SCISPO/
Brief communication
Anaerobic capacity of elite Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Capacité anaérobie des athlètes taiwanais de haut niveau de Taekwondo W.-L. Lina, K.-T. Yenb,d, C.-Y. Doris Lua, Y.-H. Huanga, C.-K. Changa,c,* a
Department of Sport Management, National Taiwan College of Physical Education, 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih RD, Taichung 404, Taiwan, ROC b Department of Physical Education, Taiwan Normal University, 162 Heping East RD, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC c Sport Science Research Center, National Taiwan College of Physical Education, 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih RD, Taichung 404, Taiwan, ROC d Department of Sports, Health & Leisure, Cheng Hsiu University, 840 Chengcing Rd., Niaosong Township, Kaohsiung County 833, Taiwan, ROC Received 3 September 2005; accepted 10 April 2006 Available online 07 July 2006
Abstract Introduction. – This study aims to investigate anaerobic capacity with Wingate test of 11 elite male and seven elite female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes, including Olympic gold- and silver-medalists. Synthesis of facts. – The peak power, mean power, and fatigue index were 8.42 ± 0.86 (mean ± S.D.) W/kg, 6.56 ± 0.60 W/kg, and 42.17 ± 9.02%, respectively, in males, and 6.64 ± 0.42, 5.45 ± 0.88 W/kg, and 42.54 ± 19.73%, respectively, in females. The two medalists showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index. Conclusion. – Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes may need to improve anaerobic capacity. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Résumé Introduction. – Étudier la capacité anaérobie, grâce au test de Wingate, d’athlètes taiwanais de Taekwondo de haut niveau, 11 de sexe mâle et sept de sexe féminin, comprenant des médaillés olympiques d’or et d’argent. Synthèse des faits. – La puissance maximale, la puissance moyenne, et l’index de fatigue étaient de 8,42 ± 0,86 (moyenne ± S.D.) W/kg, 6,56 ± 0,60 W/kg, et 42,17 ± 9,02 %, respectivement, chez les sujets mâles, et de 6,64 ± 0,42 W/kg, 5,45 ± 0,88 W/kg et 42,54 ± 19,73 % chez les sujets de sexe féminin. Les deux médaillés présentaient les valeurs de puissance les plus élevées et le plus bas index de fatigue. Conclusion. – Les athlètes taiwanais de Taekwondo sont en mesure d’améliorer encore leur capacité anaérobie. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Keywords: Wingate test; Martial art; Anaerobic power Mots clés : Test de Wingate ; Arts martiaux ; Puissance anaérobie
1. Introduction
places high demands on short-term anaerobic power and the ability to recovery [1].
Taekwondo was a demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992 Olympics before becoming an official sport in 2000 Olympics. A time-motion analysis and heart rate and blood lactate response to the fights suggested that Taekwondo competition
The research on physiological characteristics of Taekwondo athletes is sparse. In addition, the limited studies on elite Taekwondo athletes were performed more than 10 years ago [2,3]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anaerobic capacity of elite male and female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes preparing for 2004 Olympics, including eventual goldand silver-medalists.
* Corresponding
author. E-mail address: [email protected] (C.-K. Chang).
0765-1597/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.scispo.2006.04.005
292
W.-L. Lin et al. / Science & Sports 21 (2006) 291–293
The peak and mean power relative to body weight and fatigue index were similar in all weight divisions except that the subject in 72–78 kg division showed lower peak power and fatigue index. C.H.H. showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index. The results of Wingate test in female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes are presented in Table 2. The peak and mean power relative to body weight and fatigue index were similar in all weight divisions, while the athlete in 63–67 kg division showed a higher peak power. S.S.C. also showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index.
2. Methods 2.1. Subjects Eleven males (mean ± S.D., age = 19.8 ± 3.4 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.05 m, weight = 65.4 ± 6.9 kg, % body fat = 13.2 ± 1.0%) and seven females (mean ± S.D., age = 19.6 ± 3.0 years, height = 1.70 ± 0.05 m, weight = 55.6 ± 7.3 kg, % body fat = 19.4 ± 4.3%), including one male and two female Olympians, were recruited from the Taiwanese National Taekwondo Team. They were training in National Sport Training Center, Tsoying, Taiwan, preparing for 2004 Olympics. All measurements were performed in July, 2004. S.S.C. eventually won a gold medal in women’s under 47 kg division, while C.H.H. won a silver medal in men’s 58–68 kg division in 2004 Olympics. C.H.H. also won a bronze medal in under 58 kg division in 2000 Olympics. Most of the other subjects have competed in international junior or senior tournaments, including a female goldmedalist in World Cup and a male silver-medalist in Asian Championship.
4. Discussion The major finding of the present study is that elite Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes showed lower peak and average anaerobic power in Wingate test compared to previously reported results in Taekwondo athletes. Our subjects had lower peak power compared to elite American Taekwondo athletes (11.8 ± 2.0 W/kg for senior male, 10.7 ± 3.3 W/kg for junior male, and 8.4 ± 0.3 W/kg for junior female) [2], Spanish national Taekwondo contestants (12.1 W/kg) [1], Taekwondo black belts (14.7 ± 1.3 W/kg for male and 10.1 ± 1.2 W/kg for male) [1], and elite kickboxers (18.8 W/kg for male) [4]. The average power in this study was also significantly lower than that of elite American Taekwondo athletes (9.2 ± 1.2 W/kg for senior male, 7.9 ± 1.2 W/kg for senior female, 8.4 ± 0.2 W/kg for junior male, and 6.6 ± 0.2 W/kg for junior female) [2] and male elite kickboxers (10.5 W/kg) [4]. Most of our male subjects showed fatigue index between 40% and 50%, while most female subjects were between 30% and 40%. Elite American junior and senior Taekwondo athletes showed mean fatigue index between 37.7% and 42.6% in male and female [2]. It suggested that anaerobic endurance was poor in some of our subjects. The Olympic medalists C.H.H. and S.S.C. showed relatively high peak and mean power and low fatigue index among athletes in this study but was still significantly lower than those in the literature. Despite their relatively poor anaerobic power and endurance, C.H.H. and S.S.C. were still successful in international competitions. They may compensate the lower anaerobic capacity
2.2. Wingate test A 30 s Wingate test was performed with a cycle ergometer (894E, Monarch, Varberg, Sweden) connected to a computer. The load was set at 0.1 kp/kg body weight for male and 0.075 kp/kg body weight for female. Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index were analyzed with the standard software. 2.3. Statistical analysis Data were presented separately for each weight division. Data were expressed as mean ± S.D. when there was more than one subject in a division. 3. Results Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in Wingate test in male Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in 30 s Wingate test in male Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Weight division (kg) Peak power (W/kg) Mean power (W/kg) Fatigue index (%)
< 54 (N = 1) 8.33 6.89 35.89
54–58 (N = 3) 8.26 ± 1.22 6.35 ± 0.80 45.64 ± 1.08
58–62 (N = 3) 9.18 ± 0.18 6.97 ± 0.71 44.81 ± 8.62
62–67 (N = 2) 8.35 ± 0.13 6.55 ± 0.39 42.95 ± 14.67
67–72 (N = 1) 8.46 6.20 46.69
72–78 (N = 1) 6.83 6.06 24.01
C.H.H. (58–62) 9.34 7.34 38.22
Table 2 Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in 30 s Wingate test in female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Weight division (kg) Peak power (W/kg) Mean power (W/kg) Fatigue index (%)
< 47 (N = 3) 6.53 ± 0.31 5.49 ± 0.21 30.64 ± 6.80
47–51 (N = 2) 6.57 ± 0.67 5.56 ± 2.10 63.61 ± 30.09
55–59 (N = 1) 6.48 5.12 37.81
63–67 (N = 1) 7.25 5.42 40.83
S.S.C. (< 47) 6.84 5.73 29.39
W.-L. Lin et al. / Science & Sports 21 (2006) 291–293
with excellent skills and experience. Both of them have been practicing Taekwondo for more than 15 years. Taekwondo is a relatively new Olympic sport. A growing number of countries and athletes will participate in international Taekwondo competitions. The level of skill will increase as athletes would start training at early age. The athletes with lesser anaerobic power and endurance would be more difficult to compensate it with skills and experience. The Taekwondo training program in Taiwan should emphasize more on improving lower body anaerobic power and endurance.
293
References [1] Heller J, Peric T, Dlouha R, Kohlikova E, Melichna J, Novakova H. Physiological profiles of male and female Taekwon-do (ITF) black belts. J Sports Sci 1998;16:243–9. [2] Pieter W. Performance characteristics of elite Taekwondo athletes. Korean J Sport Sci 1991;3:94–117. [3] Thompson WR, Vinueza C. Physiological profile of Tae Kwon Do black belts. Sports Med Training Rehabil 1991;3:49–53. [4] Zabukovec R, Tiidus PM. Physiological and anthropometric profile of elite kickboxers. J Strength Cond Res 1995;9:240–2.
Brief communication
Anaerobic capacity of elite Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Capacité anaérobie des athlètes taiwanais de haut niveau de Taekwondo W.-L. Lina, K.-T. Yenb,d, C.-Y. Doris Lua, Y.-H. Huanga, C.-K. Changa,c,* a
Department of Sport Management, National Taiwan College of Physical Education, 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih RD, Taichung 404, Taiwan, ROC b Department of Physical Education, Taiwan Normal University, 162 Heping East RD, Taipei 106, Taiwan, ROC c Sport Science Research Center, National Taiwan College of Physical Education, 16, Sec 1, Shuan-Shih RD, Taichung 404, Taiwan, ROC d Department of Sports, Health & Leisure, Cheng Hsiu University, 840 Chengcing Rd., Niaosong Township, Kaohsiung County 833, Taiwan, ROC Received 3 September 2005; accepted 10 April 2006 Available online 07 July 2006
Abstract Introduction. – This study aims to investigate anaerobic capacity with Wingate test of 11 elite male and seven elite female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes, including Olympic gold- and silver-medalists. Synthesis of facts. – The peak power, mean power, and fatigue index were 8.42 ± 0.86 (mean ± S.D.) W/kg, 6.56 ± 0.60 W/kg, and 42.17 ± 9.02%, respectively, in males, and 6.64 ± 0.42, 5.45 ± 0.88 W/kg, and 42.54 ± 19.73%, respectively, in females. The two medalists showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index. Conclusion. – Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes may need to improve anaerobic capacity. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Résumé Introduction. – Étudier la capacité anaérobie, grâce au test de Wingate, d’athlètes taiwanais de Taekwondo de haut niveau, 11 de sexe mâle et sept de sexe féminin, comprenant des médaillés olympiques d’or et d’argent. Synthèse des faits. – La puissance maximale, la puissance moyenne, et l’index de fatigue étaient de 8,42 ± 0,86 (moyenne ± S.D.) W/kg, 6,56 ± 0,60 W/kg, et 42,17 ± 9,02 %, respectivement, chez les sujets mâles, et de 6,64 ± 0,42 W/kg, 5,45 ± 0,88 W/kg et 42,54 ± 19,73 % chez les sujets de sexe féminin. Les deux médaillés présentaient les valeurs de puissance les plus élevées et le plus bas index de fatigue. Conclusion. – Les athlètes taiwanais de Taekwondo sont en mesure d’améliorer encore leur capacité anaérobie. © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Keywords: Wingate test; Martial art; Anaerobic power Mots clés : Test de Wingate ; Arts martiaux ; Puissance anaérobie
1. Introduction
places high demands on short-term anaerobic power and the ability to recovery [1].
Taekwondo was a demonstration sport in 1988 and 1992 Olympics before becoming an official sport in 2000 Olympics. A time-motion analysis and heart rate and blood lactate response to the fights suggested that Taekwondo competition
The research on physiological characteristics of Taekwondo athletes is sparse. In addition, the limited studies on elite Taekwondo athletes were performed more than 10 years ago [2,3]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anaerobic capacity of elite male and female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes preparing for 2004 Olympics, including eventual goldand silver-medalists.
* Corresponding
author. E-mail address: [email protected] (C.-K. Chang).
0765-1597/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.scispo.2006.04.005
292
W.-L. Lin et al. / Science & Sports 21 (2006) 291–293
The peak and mean power relative to body weight and fatigue index were similar in all weight divisions except that the subject in 72–78 kg division showed lower peak power and fatigue index. C.H.H. showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index. The results of Wingate test in female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes are presented in Table 2. The peak and mean power relative to body weight and fatigue index were similar in all weight divisions, while the athlete in 63–67 kg division showed a higher peak power. S.S.C. also showed relatively high peak and mean power with low fatigue index.
2. Methods 2.1. Subjects Eleven males (mean ± S.D., age = 19.8 ± 3.4 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.05 m, weight = 65.4 ± 6.9 kg, % body fat = 13.2 ± 1.0%) and seven females (mean ± S.D., age = 19.6 ± 3.0 years, height = 1.70 ± 0.05 m, weight = 55.6 ± 7.3 kg, % body fat = 19.4 ± 4.3%), including one male and two female Olympians, were recruited from the Taiwanese National Taekwondo Team. They were training in National Sport Training Center, Tsoying, Taiwan, preparing for 2004 Olympics. All measurements were performed in July, 2004. S.S.C. eventually won a gold medal in women’s under 47 kg division, while C.H.H. won a silver medal in men’s 58–68 kg division in 2004 Olympics. C.H.H. also won a bronze medal in under 58 kg division in 2000 Olympics. Most of the other subjects have competed in international junior or senior tournaments, including a female goldmedalist in World Cup and a male silver-medalist in Asian Championship.
4. Discussion The major finding of the present study is that elite Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes showed lower peak and average anaerobic power in Wingate test compared to previously reported results in Taekwondo athletes. Our subjects had lower peak power compared to elite American Taekwondo athletes (11.8 ± 2.0 W/kg for senior male, 10.7 ± 3.3 W/kg for junior male, and 8.4 ± 0.3 W/kg for junior female) [2], Spanish national Taekwondo contestants (12.1 W/kg) [1], Taekwondo black belts (14.7 ± 1.3 W/kg for male and 10.1 ± 1.2 W/kg for male) [1], and elite kickboxers (18.8 W/kg for male) [4]. The average power in this study was also significantly lower than that of elite American Taekwondo athletes (9.2 ± 1.2 W/kg for senior male, 7.9 ± 1.2 W/kg for senior female, 8.4 ± 0.2 W/kg for junior male, and 6.6 ± 0.2 W/kg for junior female) [2] and male elite kickboxers (10.5 W/kg) [4]. Most of our male subjects showed fatigue index between 40% and 50%, while most female subjects were between 30% and 40%. Elite American junior and senior Taekwondo athletes showed mean fatigue index between 37.7% and 42.6% in male and female [2]. It suggested that anaerobic endurance was poor in some of our subjects. The Olympic medalists C.H.H. and S.S.C. showed relatively high peak and mean power and low fatigue index among athletes in this study but was still significantly lower than those in the literature. Despite their relatively poor anaerobic power and endurance, C.H.H. and S.S.C. were still successful in international competitions. They may compensate the lower anaerobic capacity
2.2. Wingate test A 30 s Wingate test was performed with a cycle ergometer (894E, Monarch, Varberg, Sweden) connected to a computer. The load was set at 0.1 kp/kg body weight for male and 0.075 kp/kg body weight for female. Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index were analyzed with the standard software. 2.3. Statistical analysis Data were presented separately for each weight division. Data were expressed as mean ± S.D. when there was more than one subject in a division. 3. Results Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in Wingate test in male Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in 30 s Wingate test in male Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Weight division (kg) Peak power (W/kg) Mean power (W/kg) Fatigue index (%)
< 54 (N = 1) 8.33 6.89 35.89
54–58 (N = 3) 8.26 ± 1.22 6.35 ± 0.80 45.64 ± 1.08
58–62 (N = 3) 9.18 ± 0.18 6.97 ± 0.71 44.81 ± 8.62
62–67 (N = 2) 8.35 ± 0.13 6.55 ± 0.39 42.95 ± 14.67
67–72 (N = 1) 8.46 6.20 46.69
72–78 (N = 1) 6.83 6.06 24.01
C.H.H. (58–62) 9.34 7.34 38.22
Table 2 Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index in 30 s Wingate test in female Taiwanese Taekwondo athletes Weight division (kg) Peak power (W/kg) Mean power (W/kg) Fatigue index (%)
< 47 (N = 3) 6.53 ± 0.31 5.49 ± 0.21 30.64 ± 6.80
47–51 (N = 2) 6.57 ± 0.67 5.56 ± 2.10 63.61 ± 30.09
55–59 (N = 1) 6.48 5.12 37.81
63–67 (N = 1) 7.25 5.42 40.83
S.S.C. (< 47) 6.84 5.73 29.39
W.-L. Lin et al. / Science & Sports 21 (2006) 291–293
with excellent skills and experience. Both of them have been practicing Taekwondo for more than 15 years. Taekwondo is a relatively new Olympic sport. A growing number of countries and athletes will participate in international Taekwondo competitions. The level of skill will increase as athletes would start training at early age. The athletes with lesser anaerobic power and endurance would be more difficult to compensate it with skills and experience. The Taekwondo training program in Taiwan should emphasize more on improving lower body anaerobic power and endurance.
293
References [1] Heller J, Peric T, Dlouha R, Kohlikova E, Melichna J, Novakova H. Physiological profiles of male and female Taekwon-do (ITF) black belts. J Sports Sci 1998;16:243–9. [2] Pieter W. Performance characteristics of elite Taekwondo athletes. Korean J Sport Sci 1991;3:94–117. [3] Thompson WR, Vinueza C. Physiological profile of Tae Kwon Do black belts. Sports Med Training Rehabil 1991;3:49–53. [4] Zabukovec R, Tiidus PM. Physiological and anthropometric profile of elite kickboxers. J Strength Cond Res 1995;9:240–2.