Anthropometrical, Physiological, and Tracked Power Profiles of Elite Taekwondo Athletes 9 Weeks before the Olympic Competition Phase

Abstract

Physiological, anthropometric, and power profiling data were retrospectively analyzed from 4 elite taekwondo athletes from the Australian National Olympic team 9 weeks from Olympic departure. Power profiling data were collected weekly throughout the 9-week period. Anthropometric skinfolds generated a lean mass index (LMI). Physiological tests included a squat jump and bench throw power profile, bleep test, 20-m sprint test, running VO2max test, and bench press and squat 3 repetition maximum (3RM) strength tests. After this, the athletes power, velocity, and acceleration profile during unweighted squat jumps and single-leg jumps were tracked using a linear position transducer. Increases in power, velocity, and acceleration between weeks and bilateral comparisons were analyzed. Athletes had an LMI of 37.1 ± 0.4 and were 173.9 ± 0.2 m and 67 ± 1.1 kg. Relatively weaker upper body (56 ± 11.97 kg 3RM bench press) compared to lower body strength (88 ± 2.89 kg 3RM squat) was shown alongside a VO2max of 53.29 ml(-1)·min(-1)·kg, and a 20-m sprint time of 3.37 seconds. Increases in all power variables for single-leg squat and squat jumps were found from the first session to the last. Absolute peak power in single-leg squat jumps increased by 13.4-16% for the left and right legs with a 12.9% increase in squat jump peak power. Allometrically scaled peak power showed greater increases for single-leg (right leg: 18.55%; left: 23.49%) and squat jump (14.49%). The athlete's weight did not change significantly throughout the 9-week mesocycle. Progressions in power increases throughout the weeks were undulating and can be related to the intensity of the prior week's training and athlete injury. This analysis has shown that a 9-week mesocycle before Olympic departure that focuses on core lifts has the ability to improve power considerably.

Estimation Bias: Body Mass and Body Height in Endurance Athletes

“…Pre-race carbohydrate loading increases muscular glycogen (Arnall, et al, 2007;Bussau, Fairchild, Rao, Steele, & Fournier, 2002) which may lead to an increase in body mass. Pre-race training should not lead to major changes in body mass (Ball, Nolan, & Wheeler, 2011).…”

Anthropometric Characteristics of Elite Japanese Female Wrestlers

“…Therefore, physiological and anthropometrical tests are commonly used to assess fitness of wrestlers (García-Pallarés, López-Gullón, Muriel, Díaz, & Izquierdo, 2011;García-Pallarés, López-Gullón, Torres-Bonete, & Izquierdo, 2012;Horswill, 1992;Horswill et al, 1992;Utter, O'Bryant, Haff, & Trone, 2002;ZiHong, Lian-shi, & Hao-jie, 2012) as well as other combat athletes (Ball, Nolan, & Wheeler, 2011;Bridge, Ferreira da Silva Santos, Chaabène, & Franchini, 2014;Chaabène, Hachana, Franchini, Mkaouer, & Chamari, 2012;Franchini, Del Vecchio, Matsushigue, & Artioli, 2011;Franchini, Huertas, et al, 2011;Franchini, Nunes, Moraes, & Del Vecchio, 2007;Franchini, Takito, Kiss, & Strerkowicz, 2005;Silva, Fields, Heymsfield, & Sardinha, 2010). In order to set guidelines for individual training and for selecting promising talent, the physiological and anthropometrical profiles of successful wrestlers serve as a benchmark.…”

Self-reported feeling of mood, fatigue and recovery and physical performance of tae kwon athletes during a pre-competitive period

“…Outro resultado contrário ao do presente estudo, foi encontrado por Fukuda et al (2013) No início da semana seguinte ao dia da competição, os atletas apresentavam consumo máximo de oxigênio diminuído; no entanto aumentaram significativamente no final da mesma semana. Ball et al(2011), também encontraram um aumento no consumo de oxigênio após um período de nove semanas de treinamento em um estudo realizado com quatro atletas da seleção olímpica australiana de tae kwon do durante um período pré competitivo olímpico. No entanto, Kim et al (2011) não encontraram diferenças significantes do consumo máximo de oxigênio em judocas de elite, após oito semanas de treinamento intermitente.…”