Determining the Motor Skills Affecting the Distance to the Opponent in Taekwondo

Abstract

Background: Athletes should stay close enough to the opponent to score points in an attack, but at the same time, they must keep enough distance to avoid the opponent's attack. Therefore, determining the correct distance can be related to the athlete's speed, explosive power, agility, technical and tactical abilities. Aim: This study aims to determine the motor skill factors that affect the kick distance of athletes in taekwondo. Methods: The study was carried out with the voluntary participation of elite, active competitor male athletes (n = 44). Athletes’ basic motor skills performance levels were determined using 20 m speed, vertical jump, and anaerobic power tests. Taekwondo Performance Protocol (TPP) was used to determine the speed and quickness levels specific to Taekwondo. The kick distances of the athletes were determined with the data obtained from TPP. Correlation between athletes' kick distance and motor skills performance levels were examined, and the factors affecting the kick distance were determined. Descriptive and comparative statistics at a 95% significance level were employed in the statistical analysis of the data gathered. Results: It was determined that the correlations between the athletes' kick distances and their technical speed, velocity, and anaerobic power performances were significant at a moderate and high level (ICC: 0,623-0,854; p<0,05). Conclusion: The study results showed that fast and strong athletes with high anaerobic power and capacity could kick from longer distances. Athletes with advanced speed and power characteristics can effectively attack their opponents from long and safe distances. Keywords: taekwondo, performance, kyorugi, distance control, kick distance