| The
purpose of this study was to identify the profile of the Olympic champions
and the other competitors who were involved in the Games. The information
on each of the athletes was obtained from the "Official Site
of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, www.olympics.com/eng/sports/TK"
and included weight category, weight, height, age, points obtained,
warnings, deduction point, defensive/offensive kicks and punches.
One hundred and two athletes competed (54 males and 48 females) in
the Games. The mean average age and BMI (Body Mass Index) of 16 male
winners was 24.4 ± 3.3 years and 21.9 ± 2.4 respectively compared
to 25.2 ± 4.3 years and 22.8 ± 3.3 for the 38 male non-winners. The
mean average age and BMI of the 16 female winners was 23.1 ± 3.9 years
and 20.8 ± 2.3 respectively compared to 24.9 ± 4.7 years and 21.3
± 2.7 for the 32 female non-winners. For all four types of athletes,
offensive kicks accounted for at least 52% of the techniques to score
a point. Ninety-eight percent of all techniques used to score were
kicks. Although not statistically significant, winners overall tended
to be younger in age and taller with slightly lower BMI than their
weight category average. Taking into account the literature cited
in this article, future studies should be designed to examine the
relationship between performance and functional variables such as
muscle power, muscle endurance, reaction time and aerobic capacity.
KEY
WORDS: Taekwondo, martial arts, body weight, body mass index,
height, age.
|
