Examination of Bilateral and Unilateral Isokinetic Leg Strengths of Taekwondo Athletes and Boxers

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the maximal isokinetic leg strengths of male athletes who work in different branches of taekwondo and boxing, both bilateral and unilateral, as right and left legs. Totally 32 athletes, including taekwondo athletes (n = 16) and boxer (n = 16), participated in the study. In the 2016-2017 season, the average age of these athletes is x̄ = 21.5. Biodex isokinetic system 4-Pro analyzing device was used in the study and 180 ° / s flexion and extension right and left leg maximal strength measurements were made from this measurement. Before the measurements, the athletes performed the exercise program including 15 minutes of warm-up movements and the maximal strength measurement was applied to each athlete 2 times. Their best performances were recorded and evaluated. When the findings of the study were examined, the right extension, right flexion, left extension, and left extension isokinetic strengths of the taekwondo athletes were found to be higher than the boxers. There was a very high and meaningful correlation found between right flexion and left flexion isokinetic strengths in the boxers between right extension and left extension isokinetic strengths. In Taekwondo athletes, there was a weak and meaningless correlation between right flexion and left flexion kinetic strengths and a positive correlation was found between right extension and left extension isokinetic strengths. Consequently, it was seen that isokinetic maximal leg strength of taekwondo athletes was higher than boxers. It is believed that this is due to the more intensive use of lower extremity muscles in taekwondo. Besides, in this research, there was a very high correlation between the right and left extension of the boxers and isokinetic leg strengths at the flexion while there was a weak meaningless correlation between the right flexion and left flexion isokinetic strengths of the taekwondo athletes, and a positive correlation was found between the right extension and the left extension isokinetic strengths. Thus, in the right and left isokinetic leg strength values of the boxers there was closeness, and in the right and left isokinetic strength values of them it can be said there was not so much closeness exists.