American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Available online at http://www.iasir.net ISSN (Print): 2328-3734, ISSN (Online): 2328-3696, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3688 AIJRHASS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research) Construction of Physical Fitness Test Items Norms of National Level Taekwondo Players Dr. Baljinder Singh Bal 1, GagandeepSingh 2, Kamal Kishore 3,Surinder Singh 4 1 Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA 2, 3 &4 Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab, INDIA Abstract: The purpose of this study was toconstruct Norms of Physical Fitness Test Items of Taekwondo Players. To obtain data, the investigators had selected Thirty (N=30), male national level Taekwondo Players between the age group of 18-28. The Muscular Strength was measured by Handgrip Strength Test, Muscular Power was measured by Vertical Jump Test, Muscular Endurance was measured by Pull-Up Test, Running Speed was measured by 20-Meter Dash, Running Agility was measured by Illinois Agility Test, Jumping Ability was measured by Standing Long Jump Test, Throwing Ability was measured by Overhead Medicine Ball Throw Test, Flexibility was measured by Sit and Reach Flexibility Test and Balance was measured by Stork Balance Stand Test. The data, which was collected by administering tests, was statistically treated to develop for all the test items. In order to construct the norms, Percentile Scale was used. Further, the scores were classified into five grades i.e., very good, good, average, poor and very poor. Keywords: Muscular Strength, Muscular Power, Muscular Endurance, Running Speed, Running Agility, Jumping Ability, Throwing Ability, Flexibility, Balance. I. Introduction Taekwondo at an advanced level requires that an athlete have certain abilities. The origins of the Korean martial art of Taekwondo go back 1500 years. Originally, Taekwondo was taught for warfare, self-defense, and physical fitness. Over the centuries, the martial art forms have spread throughout the world. Today, an estimated 75-120 million children and adults worldwide participate in martial arts with an estimated annual growth rate of 20-25% (Birrer, 1996). Taekwondo is practiced in over 140 countries around the world and 120 nations are official members of its major organization, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). Taekwondo reached the Olympic stage as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It became an official Olympic sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Taekwondo, renowned for its high and fast kicks, was developed as a technique used by Korean peasants to dismount their attackers who rode on horseback. In a competition, kicks and punches score points when contact is made with the torso (by punches and kicks) or the head (only by kicks), which is sufficient to displace that particular part of the body. A match can be won by a knockout or by points. While punches to the head are not permitted, kicks to the head and face are allowed. Research studies related to Taekwondo have tended to concentrate on injury rates (Beis et al., 2001; Chuang and Lieu, 1992; Philips et al., 2001; Pieter et al., 1998a; Pieter and Lufting, 1994; Serina and Lieu, 1991; Zemper and Pieter, 1989). Studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of trauma, which is supposed to be related to skill level, gender, weight, age, technique, the body part, situation, and years of experience. However, very little research has been conducted in the area of performance in the martial arts, and how it might relate to anthropological variables such as body weight. examined the impact of anthropometric variables on the judo performance of female judokas. (Kules, 1996) established that body weight, the circumference of the extremities, skin folds on the upper arm and back and height were identified as important determinants of performance. Sportsmen are eager to discover the relationship between his characteristics and performance abilities so that he can find the strengths and weaknesses which affect their performance. One of the important factors in making Taekwondo competitors successful is suitable static and dynamic balance. Given that, during many kicks, a Taekwondo competitor should put his center of balance on one foot; the lack of suitable balance will make him fall down. In their research, (Heler et al., 1998) showed that the anaerobic power and capability of successful Taekwondo athletes are, if not more, then as great as those of professional anaerobic athletes. (Bompa, 1999) argued that the start of a certain technique by one competitor will make any effective movement of his opponent impossible. Therefore, Taekwondo competitors should be able to react quickly and powerfully against the attacks of the opponent. According to Bomp, this kind of behavior should last throughout the entire competition. Both AIJRHASS 18-403; 2018, AIJRHASS All Rights Reserved Page 15
aerobic and anaerobic systems should be used. (Cho, 1988) investigated the physical performance of 3-8 children of 5 or 6, 6 months before and after Taekwondo exercises and found that muscular and explo-sive power, flexibility, muscular endurance, reaction time and the amount of skin fold fat play an important role in success in Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a physically demanding sport that is dominated by kicks and punches with points scored by delivering blows to the opponent (Bueke et al, 2007 & Probst et al, 2007). II. Material and Methods Thirty (N=30), male national level Taekwondo Players between the age group of 18-28 years volunteered to participate in the study. All the subjects were informed about the objective and protocol of the study.the following Physical Fitness Test Items were selected for the present study: Physical Fitness Test Items: i. Muscular Strength ii. Muscular Power iii. Muscular Endurance iv. Running Speed v. Running Agility vi. Jumping Ability vii. Throwing Ability viii. Flexibility ix. Balance The scores of each Physical Fitness Test Items were recorded by the researcher on the basis of performance in tests. The subjects were given adequate demonstration, practice trial and required instructions for all tests. Table-1: Description of Physical Fitness Test Items and Tests. Sr. No. Physical Fitness Test Items Tests 1. Muscular Strength Handgrip Strength Test 2. Muscular Power Vertical Jump Test 3. Muscular Endurance Pull-Up Test 4. Running Speed 20 Meter Dash 5. Running Agility Illinois Agility Test 6. Jumping Ability Standing Long Jump Test 7. Throwing Ability Overhead Medicine Ball Throw 8. Flexibility Sit and Reach Flexibility Test 9. Balance Stork Balance Stand Test III. Statistical Technique The data, which was collected by administering tests, was statistically treated to develop for all the test items. In order to construct the norms, Percentile Scale was used. Further, the scores were classified into five grades i.e., very good, good, average, poor and very poor. IV. Results For each of the chosen variable, the result pertaining to Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation) and Percentile Plot (Hi & Low) of Physical Fitness Test Items of Thirty (N=30), male national level Taekwondo Players are brought forth in Table-2: Table-2: Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation) and Percentile Plot (Hi & Low) of Physical Fitness Test Items of Taekwondo Players of National Level (N=30). Sr. No. Test Items Mean ± Standard Deviation Hi Low 1. Muscular Strength Mean 44.00 57.5 34.7 SD 6.33 2. Muscular Power Mean 63.5 70 56 S.D 5.00 3. Muscular Endurance Mean 20.66 24 16 SD 2.69 4. Running Speed Mean 3.16 3.2 3.1 SD 3.21 5. Running Agility Mean 10.89 12.07 10.01 SD 7.22 6. Jumping Ability Mean 2.21 2.48 2.10 SD 1.16 7. Throwing Ability Mean 17.83 20 15 SD 1.76 8. Flexibility Mean 3.9 5 2 SD 9.59 9. Balance Mean 37.26 42 31 SD 3.60 AIJRHASS 18-403; 2018, AIJRHASS All Rights Reserved Page 16
Table-2 shows that in Muscular Strength, the mean score was 44.00and standard deviation score was 6.33. In Muscular Power, the mean score was 63.5 and standard deviation score was 5.00. In Muscular Endurance, the mean score was 20.66 and standard deviation score was 2.69. In Running Speed, the mean score was 3.16 and standard deviation score was 3.21. In Running Agility, the mean score was 10.89 and standard deviation was 7.22. In Jumping Agility, the mean score was 2.21 and standard deviation was 1.16. In Throwing Ability, the mean score was 17.83 and standard deviation score was 1.76. In Flexibility, the mean score was 3.9 and standard deviation score was 9.59. In Balance, the mean score was 37.26 and standard deviation score was 3.60. Muscular Muscular Muscular Running Running Jumping Throwing Flexibility Balance Strength Power Endurance Speed Agility Ability Ability Mean 44 63.5 20.66 3.16 10.89 2.21 17.83 3.9 37.26 SD 6.33 5 2.69 3.21 7.22 1.16 1.76 9.59 3.6 Figure-1: Descriptive Statistics (Mean & Standard Deviation) and Percentile Plot (Hi & Low) of Physical Fitness Test Items of Taekwondo Players of National Level (N=30). Table-3: Distribution of Grades under Normal Distribution for the Physical Fitness Test Itemsof Taekwondo Players of National Level (N=30). Test Items Very Poor Poor Average Good Very Good Muscular Strength Less than (<) 31.34 31.34-37.67 37.67-50.33 50.33-56.66 56.66 Muscular Power Less than (<) 53.5 53.5-58.5 58.5-68.5 68.5-73.5 73.5 Muscular Endurance Less than (<) 15.28 15.28-17.97 17.97-23.35 23.35-26.04 26.04 Running Speed 9.58 9.58-6.37 6.37- -0.05-0.05- -3.26 Less than (<) -3.26 Running Agility 25.33 25.33-18.11 18.11-3.67 3.67- -3.55 Less than (<) -3.55 Jumping Ability Less than (<) -0.11-0.11-1.05 1.05-3.37 3.37-4.53 4.53 Throwing Ability Less than (<) 14.31 14.31-16.07 16.07-19.59 19.59-21.35 21.35 Flexibility Less than (<) -15.28- -5.69-13.49- -15.28 Balance Less than (<) 30.06-5.69 30.06-33.66 13.49 33.66-40.86 23.08 40.86-44.46 23.08 44.46 1. In Muscular Strength, the scores below 31.34 are considered very poor, from about31.34-37.67 is considered poor, 37.67-50.33 is considered average, 50.33-56.66 is considered good and the scores above 56.66 are 2. In Muscular Power, the scores below 53.5 are considered very poor, from about 53.5-58.5 is considered poor, 58.5-68.5 is considered average, 68.5-73.5 is considered good and the scores above 73.5 are 3. In Muscular Endurance, the scores below 15.28 are considered very poor, from about 15.28-17.97 is considered poor, 17.97-23.35 is considered average, 23.35-26.04 is considered good and the scores above 26.04 are AIJRHASS 18-403; 2018, AIJRHASS All Rights Reserved Page 17
4. In Running Speed, the scores above 9.58 are considered very poor, from about 9.58-6.37 is considered poor, 6.37- -0.05 is considered average, -0.05- -3.26 is considered good and the scores below -3.26 are 5. In Running Agility, the scores above 25.33 are considered very poor, from about 25.33-18.11 is considered poor, 18.11-3.67 is considered average, 3.67- -3.55 is considered good and the scores below -3.55 are 6. In Jumping Ability, the scores below -0.11 are considered very poor, from about -0.11-1.05 is considered poor, 1.05-3.37 is considered average, 3.37-4.53 is considered good and the scores above 4.53 are 7. In Throwing Ability, the scores below 14.31 are considered very poor, from about 14.31-16.07 is considered poor, 16.07-19.59 is considered average, 19.59-21.35 is considered good and the scores above 21.35 are 8. In Flexibility, the scores below -15.28 are considered very poor, from about -15.28- -5.69 is considered poor, -5.69-13.49 is considered average, 13.49-23.08 is considered good and the scores above 23.08 are 9. In Balance, the scores below 30.06 are considered very poor, from about30.06-33.66 is considered poor, 33.66-40.86 is considered average, 40.86-44.46 is considered good and the scores above 44.46 are (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) AIJRHASS 18-403; 2018, AIJRHASS All Rights Reserved Page 18
(g) (h) (i) Figure-2: Normal distribution of Physical Fitness Test Items (i.e., a. Muscular Strength, b. Muscular Power, c. Muscular Endurance, d. Running Speed, e. Running Agility, f. Jumping Ability, g. Throwing Ability, h. Flexibility &i. Balance) of Taekwondo Players of National Level (N=30). V. Acknowledgements Heartiest thanks and appreciation are extended to all players who served as subjects for this study and without whose help this study could not have been completed. VI. Recommendations Physical Education teachers, coaches and athletic trainers may utilize the findings of the present study by preparing or modifying the existing training schedules for Taekwondo Player.Normative data regarding Physical Fitness Test Items will help the coaches and trainers to regulate the training programme for elite athletes. VII. References [1]. Beis, K., Tsaklis, P., Pieter, W., &Abatzides, G. (2001). Taekwondo competition injuries in Greek young and adult athletes. European Journal of Sports Traumatology and Related Research, 23, 130-136. [2]. Birrer, R. B. (1996). Trauma epidemiology in the Martial Arts, The result of an eighteen-year international survey. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 24, S-72-79. [3]. Bompa, T.O. (1999). Periodization training for sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. [4]. Burke, D.T., Al-Adawi, S., Lee, Y.T., &Audette, J. (2007). Martial arts as sport and therapy. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 47, 96-102. [5]. Cho, J.W. (1988). A study on the physical performance in children, WTF Taekwondo (Seoul-Korea), 8, 4, 34-39. [6]. Chuang, T.Y.,& Lieu, D.K. (1992). A parametric study of the thoracic injury potential of basic Taekwondo kicks. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 114, 346-51. [7]. Heller, J., Peric, T., Dlouha, R., Kohlikova, E., Melichna, J., &Novakova, H. (1998). Physiological profiles of male and female taekwondo (ITF) black belts. Journal of Sports Science, 16, 243-249. [8]. Kules, B. (1996). Impact of anthropometric variables on judo performance for female judokas in absolute category. Kinesiology, 28, 54-57. [9]. Phillips, J.S., Frantz, J.M., Amosun, S.L., &Weitz, W. (2001). Injury surveillance in taekwondo and judo during physiotherapy coverage of the seventh All Africa Games. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 57, 32-34. [10]. Pieter, W., &Lufting, R. (1994). Injuries at the 1991 taekwondo world championships. Journal of Sports Traumatology and Related Research, 16, 49-57. [11]. Pieter, W., Bercades, L.T., &Heijmans, J. (1998a). Injuries in young and adult taekwondo athletes. Kinesiology, 30, 22-30. [12]. Probst, M.M., Fletcher, R., &Seelig, D.S.(2007). A comparison of lower-body flexibility, strength, and knee stability between karate athletes and active controls. J Strength Cond Res, 21, 451-455. [13]. Serina, E.R., & Lieu, D.K. (1991). Thoracic injury potential of basic competition Taekwondo kicks. Journal of Biomechanics, 24, 951-60. [14]. Zemper, E.D., & Pieter, W. (1989). Injury rates during the 1988 US Olympic Team Trials for taekwondo. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 23, 161-64. AIJRHASS 18-403; 2018, AIJRHASS All Rights Reserved Page 19