Comparative analysis of psychophysiological features of taekwondo athletes of different age groups

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The importance of psychophysiological features in optimizing the functional state of athletes is beyond doubt. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of the psychophysiological features of taekwondo athletes of different age groups.
 Material and Methods. The study involved 42 taekwondo athletes, skill level 2 Gup – 1 Dan. The participants were divided into groups of 14 people. Group 1 – (7.50±0.14) years, Group 2 – (10.07±0.22) years, Group 3 – (13.36±0.27) years. A special computer program for devices with the iOS operating system was used. The Apple iPad, 4th generation with a screen diagonal of 9.7 inches was used. The following tests were used: reaction choice (RC), reaction to a moving object (RMO) and size test (ST). The results of the groups were compared using the nonparametric Rosenbaum test (Q), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was determined.
 Results. RMO test results in group 2 were significantly better than those in group 1 (Q=12, p<0.01). A similar correlation was determined for RC (Q=14, p<0.01) and ST (Q=15, p<0.01). When analyzing the frequency of incorrect reactions in RMO, it was found that athletes in the 1st group lagged behind more often (Q=6, p<0.05). A comparison of groups 2 and 3 confirmed that senior athletes had better results in RC (Q=11, p<0.01). For all tests used, the best results of group 3 compared with group 1 was determined: for RMO Q=16, (p<0.01), for RC Q=22, (p<0.01), for ST Q=20, (p<0.01). Senior athletes often had an anticipatory reaction in RMO, (Q=7, p<0.05). Significant correlations (p<0.05) were determined in group 1 between age and frequencies of anticipatory (r=-0.57) and lagging reactions (r=0.57), RMO and RC (r=0.63), RC and frequencies of anticipatory reactions (r=0.57) and lagging reactions (r=-0.57). In group 3, significant correlations were determined between age and RC (r=-0.59), RMO and RC (r=0.76), age and ST (r=-0.53), RMO and ST (r=0.65), RC and ST (r =0.79). 
 Conclusions. A change in the speed of reaction to various stimuli of taekwondo athletes of different ages has been confirmed. An increase in age and training experience improves the reaction rate. This dependence is most pronounced when comparing junior and senior athletes. The determined correlations between all tests used also reflect the improvement in the psychophysiological state of the athletes with increasing age. The tests used are characterized by accessibility, specificity, informativeness and financial feasibility. The results obtained allow for recommending their use in monitoring the state of martial arts athletes.

Influence of Hand-to-Hand Combat Training on Functional Fitness of Cadets at Higher Educational Establishments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

“…It is appropriate to take into account the most functionally stressed areas of the neuromuscular apparatus that determine the success of sports activities. This is confirmed by data obtained from athletes of various sports [11,17,37] and various martial arts [19,21,26]. At the same time, general biological mechanisms of adaptation and compensatory reactions that occur in the body of athletes during the training process, also have a significant impact on the implementation of sensorimotor reactions.…”

Evaluation of the functional state of taekwondo athletes 7-13 years old according to the indicators of the finger-tapping test

“…An improvement in the psychophysiological parameters of combat sports athletes in parallel with age and training experience was researched in another study (Podrigalo et al, 2023). A positive change in the speed of reaction to various stimuli of taekwondo athletes of different ages was confirmed.…”

“…In our study, a program based on an Apple iPad, was used. The use of such programs allows you to quickly monitor the functional state of athletes, adjust training loads (Romanenko et al, 2020;Podrigalo et al, 2023).…”

“…Therefore, the use of FTT makes it possible to predict the success of athletes in combat sports. A comparison of the results of athletes of different ages makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of their training, to predict the growth of sportsmanship (Podrigalo et al, 2023).…”

Improving leg power and Dolyo Chagi kick speed in Taekwondo using plyometric, SAQ, and circuit training methods

“…muscles that work optimally in a short time (Bompa, 1994;Widiyanto, 2014). Speed is one of the decisive factors for victory in martial arts (Podrigalo et al, 2023). If you have speed and power in the leg muscles, it is likely that an athlete will have a fast and strong kick to hit and beat his opponent.…”