Influence of Body Composition and Muscle Power Performance on Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test in Taekwondo...

The Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT_mult) is used to investigate which characteristics are necessary for, contribute to, or limit the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts in taekwondo. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between anthropometric and body composition characteristics, muscle power performance, and sport-specific anaerobic performance. Nineteen black belt taekwondo athletes (mean ± SD age: 17.2 ± 2.4 years) volunteered to participate. Anthropometric and body composition characteristics (i.e., body height (BH), body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), body fat (BF%), and muscle mass (MM)) and physical performance (squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, and FSKT_mult) were assessed. Data were analyzed with correlation coefficients and simple linear regression. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The total number of kicks in FSKT_mult (FSKT_total) was significantly and positively correlated with MM (r = 0.521, R² = 0.27, p < 0.05) and negatively with BF% (r = -0.499, R² = 0.25, p < 0.05). The FSKT_total was significantly and positively correlated with SJ (r = 0.520, R² = 0.27, p < 0.05) and CMJ (r = 0.508, R² = 0.26, p < 0.05) performance. Body composition optimization, with appropriate physical training and dietary planning, is relevant in taekwondo as the improvement in the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts depends on MM, and its worsening on BF%. Lower limb muscle power positively influences the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts. Therefore, training programs should emphasize ballistic and plyometric exercises.