taekwondo

Background: Taekwondo is a traditional Iranian martial art currently practiced in over 206 countries around the world. Aim: The present study aims to provide fundamental information on injuries in Iranian elite Taekwondo athletes. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 Iran Taekwondo national team athletes (means±standard deviations: Age: 28.8±10.7 years, Height: 175.7±9.2 cm, Weight: 69±14.7 kg) participated in this retrospective study. The data was collected based on the injury surveillance system during 2021. The questionnaire included personal information and Taekwondo-related injuries information. Data was illustrated using descriptive methods and was analyzed using the Chi-Square test ( P <0.05). Results: The overall injury occurred during training was more than competition ( P <0.05). The occurrence of acute injury was higher than chronic ( P <0.05), and the most prevalent types of injuries were strain, rupture, and muscle spasm. The number of injuries that occurred in the lower extremity was higher than in other parts ( P <0.05), and the knee was the most vulnerable joint ( P <0.05). The most important cause of injuries was fatigue ( P <0.05). The non-contact injury was the most significant injury mechanism ( P <0.05). The severity of injury in Iranian elite Taekwondo athletes was high ( P <0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that injuries during training were more than competition, acute injury was more than chronic, strain was the most common type of injury, and the most vulnerable joint was the knee. Fatigue was the leading cause of injuries in elite Taekwondo athletes. So, in designing an injury prevention program, these factors should be considered.

Purpose: The adequate use of sport-related modern knowledge such as new findings regarding nutritional and dietary supplements is an essential prerequisite of success in modern professional sport. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 11 nationally prominent Taekwondoin with 8 to 12 years of experience and profile of (Age: 20±6 years, height: 178±12 cm, weight: 67±11kg, wrist circumference: 17±1 cm) were selected as subjects. The level of blood lactate, the time and speed of execution of Poomsae forms, and the number of Momdollyos successfully performed in 20 seconds were measured separately in a pre-test phase, after the intake of a placebo, and after the consumption of supplement drink. Results: Statistical results showed that lactate levels significantly increased compare to pre-tests in both groups. Although this increasing was not significant between groups in Momdollyo (p=0.599) and Poomsae (p=0.303). Indeed, number of successfully executed and also time of performance were significantly different in both Momdollyo (P=0.000) and    Poomsae (P=0.033). Conclusion: Intake of discussed customized decaffeinated supplement drink increased speed and number of execution of Poomsae forms and Momdollyo techniques but it seems that lactate levels depends on other factors in taekwondoin.

Background: Fatigue as one of the physiological factors can affect the physical performance of athletes. This issue is more important in young athletes and can expose them to injury. Aim: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of functional fatigue on the performance and landing mechanics of adolescence taekwondo athletes. Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental study. Participants were 20 male teenage taekwondo players. Pre-fatigue measurements included side-jump tests, figure-8 hop tests, and single-leg triple jump tests, as well as a lower limb biomechanics assessment using a landing error scoring system. After the functional fatigue protocol was applied, all the pre-fatigue variables were evaluated again. In order to examine the intra-group changes of the research variables in the pre and post-test stages, the paired t-test at a significance level of P≤0.05 was used. Results: The paired-t test results revealed that following fatigue induction, performance in the side-jump and figure-8 hop tests significantly deteriorated (P<0.05). Additionally, performance in the single-leg triple hop test declined (P<0.05). Moreover, landing error significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: The finding of this study indicated that after applying fatigue, the subjects' performance decreased and the biomechanical error of the lower limbs increased. Fatigue can significantly impact adolescent taekwondo athletes' performance and biomechanics. So, taekwondo coaches should implement effective strategies to mitigate fatigue, enhance athletes' conditioning, and optimize their performance in training and competitions.