Objective. - The study investigated physical fitness characteristics of elite Taekwondo (TKD) players as well as their heart rate (HR) response and blood lactate concentration changes during TKD specific exercises and simulated competition.Methods. - Anaerobic and aerobic power has been evaluated in eight elite TKD players (age: 20 +- 1 years, body mass: 70.8 +-6 kg, Ht: 179.9 +- 4 cm). We also measured heart rate and blood lactate concentration during competition and specific-exercises (front kicks during 10 s, 1 and 3 min).Results. - Maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and peak anaerobic power (Wpeak) averaged 56.22 +- 2.57 ml min"1 kg"1 and 12.1 +- 1.7 W kg~(-1), respectively. HR and blood lactate [La] concentrations increased significantly during competition (F= 19.4, P<0.001; F=21.3, P< 0.001) compared to the resting value. HR and [La] values were significantly correlated with those measured during 10 s (R = 0.85, P < 0.05 and R = 0.79, P < 0.05, respectively) and 3-min specific exercises (R = 0.95, P < 0.01 and R = 0.76, P < 0.05).Conclusions. - TKD requires high levels of both aerobic and anaerobic physical fitness. The correlation between specific exercises and competition is of practical interest for TKD players and trainers.
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