Analysis of Performance and Physiological Responses of Thailand’s National Taekwondo Athletes: Simulated Taekwondo Combat Conditions.

This study analyzed the strategies and physiology that influence the performance of Thailand’s national taekwondo athletes. The study participants consisted of 20 Thailand’s national taekwondo athletes (16 males and 4 females), selected by a purposive sampling method. The samples’ average age was 19.12 ± 2.48 years. The average competition experience was 10.82 ± 3.97 years. Body composition testing and functional movement screening were performed. Competition situations were simulated based on the international taekwondo rules to test physiological variables such as blood lactate (La), heart rate (HR), Borg’s rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max). The matches were recorded using two video cameras at a frequency of 50 Hz to analyze strategies and tactics during competitions. In terms of body composition, the study participants’ body mass index was 21.40 ± 1.51 kg/m² and the body fat mass was 17.67 ± 5.18%. Regarding body types, 14 people with ectomorph, 4 people with mesomorph, and 2 people with endomorph body types were found. When comparing the mean scores of attacking targets in every round, 3 items were significantly different (P < 0.05): head guard (3.07 ± 1.67 times; 14.25%) and trunk protector (18.80 ± 4.72 times; 85.75%), technique kicks (17.48 ± 5.22 times; 79.12%) and delayed kicks (4.37 ± 3.59 times; 20.88%), and offensive kicks (15.27 ± 5.48 times; 70.73%) and defensive kicks (7.01 ± 4.00 times; 29.27%), respectively. When comparing the competition between Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3, it was found that the average amount of La, HR, and RPE were significantly different (P < 0.05) between Round 1 and Round 3. Hence, the study analyzing the strategies and physiological responses affecting the performance of Thailand’s national taekwondo athletes shows the important strategies affecting competition results as well as the physiological principles that can be used to plan the development of individual athlete’s training styles for future success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]