Variations in physical performance during a short-term taekwondo training camp: A case study of Chilean youth national team

Tomas Herrera-Valenzuela; Pablo Valdes-Badilla; Jose Zapata-Bastías; Eduardo Guzman-Muñoz; Ignacio Santander-Reveco; Pedro Delgado-Floody; Cristian Nuñez-Espinoza; Matias Monsalves-Alvarez; David Andrade; Jordan Hernandez-Martinez; Izham Cid-Calfucura; Coral Falco

Authors

Tomas Herrera-Valenzuela Department of Physical Activity, Sports and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5219-5896
Pablo Valdes-Badilla Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Education Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3530000, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3948-8280
Jose Zapata-Bastías Sports Coach Career, School of Education, Universidad Viña del Mar, Viña del Mar, Chile. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1477-1708
Eduardo Guzman-Muñoz School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca 3460000, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-9004
Ignacio Santander-Reveco Faculty of Education, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1112-6704
Pedro Delgado-Floody Department of Physical Education, Sport and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9952-993X
Cristian Nuñez-Espinoza School of Medicine, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6200000, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9896-7062
Matias Monsalves-Alvarez Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de O’Higgins, Rancagua, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3163-3911
David Andrade Exercise Applied Physiology Laboratory, Centro de Investigación en Fisiología y Medicina de Altura, Departamento Biomédico, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2006-1444
Jordan Hernandez-Martinez Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno 5290000, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9441-4316
Izham Cid-Calfucura Department of Physical Activity, Sports and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago 8370003, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2172-867X
Coral Falco Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Ber-gen, Norway. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6565-1654

Keywords:

combat sports, martial arts, physical fitness, athletic performance

Abstract

Objective: The effects of short-term taekwondo training camps on physical performance remain largely unexplored. This study analyzed the impact of a one-week taekwondo-specific program on the physical performance of the Chilean youth national team. Methods: Seventeen athletes (55% males, 45% females) completed two daily sessions consisting of technical work and simulated combats. Pre- and post-camp assessments included the countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT), and the Taekwondo Specific Agility Test (TSAT). Results: No significant group × time interactions were detected. However, TSAT performance improved significantly in both females (p = 0.0067) and males (p = 0.0055), and the Kick Decrement Index (KDI) improved in the total sample (p = 0.02). Conclusion: A high proportion of athletes were classified as responders in TSAT, while no meaningful changes were observed in total kicks during the FSKT or in jump performance.