ASSESSMENT BODY COMPOSITION AND LEG REACTION TIME OF ELITE TAEKWONDO ATHLETES

Özet

The main aim of present study is to determine body composition and leg reaction times of elite male taekwondo athletes. Seventeen taekwondo athletes (Mean ± SD; age 21.2±4.7 year, height 173.6±6.5 cm, weight 63.1±10.9 kg, BMI 20.9±2.4 kg/m2) who are doing taekwondo approximately ten years volunteer in present study. Left and right leg reaction time of subjects were measured. Body composition is analyzed with TANITA BC-418MA Segmental Body Analyze Monitor. The mean ± SD BMR, TBF%, TBFM, FFM and TBW of subjects were determined 7260.7±998.8 kj, 7.1±4.1%, 4.8±3.6 kg, 58.4±8.3 kg, and 42.7±6.1 kg, respectively. There was no significant difference between right leg reaction time (291±37 msec) and left leg reaction time (305±38 msec)of subjects (t=0.873, p>0.05). There was negative significant correlation (p<0.05) between a)leg reaction time and leg fat percentage and b)leg reaction time and leg fat mass. In conclusion, lower leg fat percentages and fat mass of taekwondo athletes affect reaction times in a positive way. Additionally, lower total body fat %, left and right leg fat %, left and right arm fat % and trunk fat % can affect the performances positively.