Lower Extremity Stretch-Shortening Cycle Performance in the Vertical and Horizontal Direction as Key Determinants of Success in Collegiate Male Taekwondo
Background/Objectives: The underlying mechanisms of taekwondo-specific jumping ability among different competition levels are still unknown. This study aimed to compare vertical and horizontal stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance between athletes of different competitive levels and examine the...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/15 |
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| Summary: | Background/Objectives: The underlying mechanisms of taekwondo-specific jumping ability among different competition levels are still unknown. This study aimed to compare vertical and horizontal stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance between athletes of different competitive levels and examine the relationships of force and power production abilities between those two directions in Taiwanese collegiate-level male taekwondo athletes. Methods: Seventeen male collegiate taekwondo athletes were divided into two groups: medalists (MG, n = 8) and non-medalists (NMG, n = 9); both groups performed countermovement jumps (CMJ) on a force platform and single-leg lateral hops (SLLHs) via an optoelectronic measurement system. Eccentric and concentric phase measures from CMJ and distant and temporal variables of SLLH were collected for further analysis. Results: The MG achieved statistically superior jump height (JH), concentric peak velocity, eccentric peak force, force at 0 velocity, and eccentric displacement than NMG (<i>d</i> = 1.05–1.36). Although non-significant differences showed in SLLH variables, MG had better results than NMG (<i>d</i> = 0.40–0.84). Moderate relationships were identified between SLLH step 1 and JH, reactive strength index modified, peak concentric power, and peak concentric velocity of CMJ (<i>r</i> = 0.50–0.57, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, step 2 ground contact time and lateral reactive strength index from SLLH were associated with CMJ peak eccentric force, peak concentric force, and force at 0 velocity (<i>r</i> = 0.53–0.59, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Conclusions: Taekwondo MG achieved superior CMJ and SLLH performance. In addition, jumping abilities in vertical and lateral directions shared specific underlying mechanisms in collegiate male taekwondo athletes. |
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| ISSN: | 2411-5142 |