The effect of high intensity interval training model on aerobic and anaerobic performance in taekwondo athletes

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the aerobic and anaerobic performance of taekwondo athletes. Method: The study included male taekwondo athletes aged 17–24 who were actively training in Bartın province. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed a HIIT program in addition to their regular training for four weeks, while the control group continued with their usual training routine. The study was conducted using a pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design. Data were collected through performance tests such as vertical jump, standing long jump, agility, sprint, rast, leg and back strength, and analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Depending on data distribution, both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Findings: The results showed that the HIIT program led to statistically significant improvements in aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and motor performance variables in the experimental group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that HIIT is an effective and applicable training method for improving performance in sports like taekwondo, where both anaerobic and aerobic systems are heavily involved. KeyWords: High-intensity interval training, taekwondo, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, motor performance