The Comparison of Key Factors for Taekwondo Competition in Different Levels of Middle and High School Players

Abstract

Background: There are several factors which have an influence on Taekwondo competition. They include career, physical fitness, and psychological anxirty. PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to investigate key factors for Taekwondo competition by the comparison of elite to regular middle and high school players. METHODS: Forty elite and forty regular middle and high school Taekwondo players participated in this study. Each group consisted of 20 male and 20 female players. Elite players were those who had won prizes in the national competitions and regular players were those who didn't win medals in the national competitions. Muscular strength and endurance were measured by Cybex 770 (Humac Norm, Inc). Agility and flexibility were also measured, and competition anxiety was assessed by using CSAIII questionnaire (Martens et al., 1983). RESULTS: In general, elite players had significantly shorter reaction time and greater flexibility and muscle power than regular players. However, there was no significant difference in muscular endurance and competition anxiety between these players. In male players, reaction time and muscle power were different between elite and regular players. On the other hand, in female players, reaction time and flexibility were different between these players. CONCLUSION: It seems that reaction time, muscular power of leg, and flexion may play an important role in Taekwondo competition, but competition anxiety may not. In particular, muscular power may be an important factor for male, and flexibility may be an important factor for female.