Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of training on selected motor abilities in young recreational taekwondo athletes using the traditional approach versus one based on sports science principles. Subjects were selected from members of taekwondo clubs in Kota Bharu and surrounding districts (20 girls, 13.01±2.35 years, 147.10±11.41 cm, 44.17±13.84 kg; 28 boys, 11.93±2.01 years, 142.92±13.95 ern, 35.52±12.66 kg). The athletes were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. The experimental group was given a training program designed for an intervention period of 8 weeks. The control group followed the regular training program by their coaches. Physical fitness components included weight for height, flexibility, body composition, push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and aerobic fitness. Multivariate procedures and non-parametric methods were used to analyze the data. There was no Group x Test interaction (p=0.332, eta2=0.055) and neither were there Group (p=0.330, eta2=0.056) and Test (p=0.119, eta2=0.137) effects for allometrically scaled vertical jump controlled for training frequency at the posttest in the girls. There was no difference in the push-ups between boy experimental and control groups at the posttest (p=0.704). After using training frequency at the posttest as a co-variate, V02 max at the posttest for the experimental girls (28.17±3.35ml,kg-1.min-1) were lower than that of the control group (32.25±3.69 ml.kql.rnln", p=0.002). Although the coaches of both the experimental and control groups, at the onset of the study, assured the investigator that the children worked out 3 times a week, this was not confirmed by the results. Consequently, differences in general motor abilities between experimental and control groups of both boys and girls were related to training frequency: they disappeared after using training frequency as a co-variate. Future studies should also include an intervention to develop taekwondo specific skills. If improved taekwondo performance is the goal at the senior level, an all around approach to developing general and taekwondo-specific motor abilities and skills should be implemented at the junior level.