2012, Volume 8, Issue 3
Success factors in elite WTF taekwondo competitors
Jerzy Sadowski1, Dariusz Gierczuk1, Jerzy Miller2, Igor Cieśliński1
1Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland
2The State College of Computer Science and Business Administration in in Łomża, Łomża, Poland
Author for correspondence: Jerzy Sadowski; Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Biała Podlaska, Poland; email: jerzy.sadowski[at]awf-bp.edu.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background and study aim: The aim of the study was to identify selected success factors of elite Olympic taekwondo competitors in the context of medals that they have or have not won during Polish Senior Championships (PSCs).
Material and methods: Sixty-four elite male taekwondo competitors took part in the study. The competitors were divided into two groups on the basis of their achievements: PSC medallists and non-medallists. Factors determining sports success were modelled with the use of a general linear model (GLM). The procedure lasted until the minimum of the quality criterion, i.e., the Akaike information criterion (AIC), was reached.
Results: Successful competitors (medallists) demonstrated significantly better technique, conditioning and flexibility parameters. Technical skills (e.g., strikes and side and roundhouse kicks), speed, dynamic strength and endurance were the factors that contributed to the achievement of excellent results in taekwondo.
Conclusions: The research results revealed groups of success factors in taekwondo at a national level. Variables concerning kicks exerted the greatest influence on point scores (360° dollyo chagi montong – 41% and dollyo chagi – 31%).
Key words: 360° dollyo chagi montong , dollyo chagi, regression model, wtf taekwondo