Author(s): PARK, J., LEE, J., SON, S., LEE, H., YUN, S., LEE, D.T., Institution: KOOKMIN UNIVERSITY, Country: KOREA, SOUTH, Abstract-ID: 2262

INTRODUCTION:
Taekwondo Poomsae may require different physical fitness characteristics depending on performance type. In particular, Poomsae and freestyle Poomsae performance types are expected to differ in physical demands according to their performance characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to compare health-related and skill-related physical fitness variables between Poomsae athletes and freestyle Poomsae athletes to identify fitness characteristics.
METHODS:
This study included five male Poomsae athletes (19.8±0.4 years, 174.1±6.3 cm, 65.8±7.4 kg, 21.7±7.4 kg/m²) and five male freestyle Poomsae athletes (18.8±0.8 years, 173.2±5.3 cm, 70.4±6.3 kg, 23.4±1.3 kg/m²). The measured variables consisted of health-related physical fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance measured by maximal oxygen uptake, muscular strength by grip strength, muscular endurance by sit-up and push-up, and flexibility by seat-and-reach) and skill-related physical fitness (power by vertical jump and agility by side-step). After confirming normality, independent t-tests were performed to compare variables between groups, and statistical significance was set at p<.05. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kookmin University (IRB No. KMU-202601-HR-552).
RESULTS:
Comparison of health-related physical fitness such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility between groups showed no differences (p>.05). However, maximal heart rate was significantly higher in freestyle Poomsae athletes than in Poomsae athletes (202.1±4.2 vs. 193.6±4.9 bpm, p<.05). Among skill-related fitness, power was significantly higher in freestyle Poomsae athletes than Poomsae athletes (64.0±5.8 vs. 52.6±7.1 cm, p<.05), whereas no difference was found in agility between groups (p>.05).
CONCLUSION:
The findings indicate differences in physical fitness between Poomsae and freestyle Poomsae athletes. In particular, the higher power and maximal heart rate observed in freestyle Poomsae athletes may reflect differences in physical demands according to Taekwondo Poomsae characteristics.