Investigation of muscle force, balance and jumping performance in professional and amateur taekwondo athletes

The aim of this study was to investigate the isokinetic muscular strength of the knee, dynamic balance and vertical jump performance parameters in adolescent professional and amateur taekwondo athletes. A total of 52 individuals were included. Nineteen professional and amateur taekwondo athletes and 14 sedentary individuals were participated in the study. Isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength were measured at 600/sec and 1200/sec angular velocities with ISOMED 2000 isokinetic system and peak torque ratio, peak torque/body weight ratio, and H/Q ratio were recorded. Vertical jump performance and lower extremity reaction time were evaluated with the OPTOJUMP and dynamic balance was evaluated with the Y Balance test. In the professional group, quadriceps strength of dominant and non-dominant leg and hamstring strength of the dominant leg were higher at the angular velocity of 60°/sec (p<0.05). Quadriceps strength of the non-dominant leg was higher in the professional group at the angular velocity of 1200/sec (p<0.05). The H/Q ratio of the non-dominant leg was higher in the amateur group at the angular velocity of 60°/sec (p <0.05). While there was no significant difference between professional and amateur athletes in terms of dynamic balance, their performance was higher than the control group (p <0.05). The vertical jump performance of the professional group was significantly higher (p <0.05) than two groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of reaction time (p> 0.05). As a result, training programs to increase the performance of professional and amateur taekwondo athletes and prevent injuries; It should include endurance, dynamic balance and reaction time exercises.