Development of an exercise protocol that simulates the activity pattern of international Taekwondo competition

Introduction Exercise protocols that simulate the activity pattern of competition have been devised for various sports. These simulations provide an ergonomic framework to permit more detailed examinations of the physiological responses to specific intermittent activity patterns. They also offer a controlled model to facilitate the study of interventions (Drust et al. 2007). The aim of this study was to devise an exercise protocol that serves to replicate the activity profile of international Taekwondo competition. Methods The exercise protocol devised in this study was modelled on the time-motion data obtained from international Taekwondo competition (Bridge et al. 2011). The regular fighting, preparatory, non-preparatory, and stoppage activity phases performed in competition formed the fundamental framework of the protocol. These activity phases were arranged into 36 individual cycles of movement. Each individual cycle of movement required the participants to perform either a single non-preparatory or stoppage activity phase followed by a preparatory and fighting activity phase. Each activity phase contained a collection of Taekwondo actions that were arranged into irregular sequences. The individual cycles of movement were assembled to formulate three two-minute blocks of exercise. A one minute rest interval separated each block of exercise. This configuration represented the three two-minute rounds of international combat. Eight male Taekwondo competitors’ performed each predetermined cycle of movement on a specifically design 1.7 m course and stationary kick bag. These actions were performed in time with an audio signal that provided specific activity instructions. Results The mean fighting time set in the exercise protocol was 1.3 s, preparatory time 7.0 s, non-preparatory time 4.0 s, stoppage time 1.6 s, fighting to non-fighting ratio (1:x) 6.0 and 32 exchanges and 35 kicks were included. These compare favourably with the mean ± SD range of time-motion data measured in international Taekwondo competition. The mean ± SD fighting time in the international competition was 1.7 ± 0.4 s, preparatory time 6.4 ± 2.1 s, non-preparatory time 3.0 ± 0.6 s, stoppage time 2.8 ± 0.9 s, fighting to non-fighting ratio (1:x) 6.3 ± 2.0 and 28 ± 6 exchanges and 31 ± 7 kicks were performed. Conclusions The exercise protocol devised in this study provides a reasonable approximation of the activity pattern performed in international Taekwondo competition. This protocol may therefore serve as useful ergonomic model to permit more detailed study of the physiological responses to Taekwondo-specific intermittent exercise. References Bridge C.A. et al. (2011) Int J Sports Physiol Perform, in press. Drust B. et al. (2007) Sports Med, 37, 783.