Weighted Rope Training in Taekwando Athletes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of weighted rope jump training on physical fitness in taekwondo athletes. Randomized controlled trail was done on Total 52 male taekwondo players, aged between 13 to 19 years. Players were randomly divided into 2 groups at Khubaib Taekwondo Academy. Experimental group ( n=26) had weighted rope training for 8 weeks, 3 days in a week along with routine taekwondo training and control group (n=26) had to follow only routine training for 8 weeks. Agility t- test, 50 meter run test, sargent jump test, sit and reach test and yo-yo endurance test were performed at baseline, 4th and 8th week to assess the physical fitness in participants. Hand grip dynamometer was used to assess the upper limb strength.

Taekwondo (TKD) means "fight with foot and fist" is a very energetic, quick sport. Kicks and punches are used with full force by the athletes to knock down their opponents. Taekwondo (TKD) is one of the most systematic traditional combat practice and fighting sports in Korea that has high status in the world. Taekwondo originated from Korea and has been playing as an Olympic sports since 2000. Presently, it is practiced in 2 methods under International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). Games are organized on the basis of age, weight, height and gender at national and international level.

In beginning, basic skills are taught to athletes which consist of strikes, blocks, kicking techniques, stances and different form. Taekwondo (TKD) is recognized by using very fast and high kicks. For this, athletes should be physically fit and active. Muscle strength, power, endurance, flexibility, agility, speed and cardiopulmonary endurance are the main components of physical fitness. Ability of muscle to generate maximum pressure voluntarily is called muscle strength. The force generated in a particular motion is called power. Capability of muscle to produce force against maximal resistance is known as endurance. Agility is ability to change direction while maintaining body balance. Speed is described as the shortest time requisite for an object to travel along a fixed distance. Flexibility is defined as an ability of a joint to move freely. In taekwondo sports both aerobic and anaerobic fitness are required but anaerobic energy contributes a lot during the fight.

Taekwondo is a contact sport and as compared to other martial arts, rate of injuries in taekwondo is very high. During kick, the knee is always in extended position. Quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles are activated at different times. Gluteal work as stabilizers during kick. Injuries may occur during fight (54%) as well as during training (36%). Lower limb injuries most common (46%) and upper limb injuries are (18%). Less injuries occur in vertebral areas (10%) and skull area (3%). Agility, flexibility, reactivity, endurance, strength and speed are the main factors related to physical fitness and are important in taekwondo (TKD).

Rope jumping training is very effective in improving muscle work, physical fitness and cardiorespiratory endurance. For many sports activities along with kick boxing, fighting, badminton, and combat sports, skipping rope training is a major training tool. Along with rope jump training, weighted rope jumping protocol has also gain importance in improving physical fitness and athletes' performance. Weighted ropes are made up of hard plastic or steel material having different weights in handle and rope portion. Weighted ropes are usually utilized in 2 specific ways. If weight is only present in handles then its mean it will improve lower limb strength, coordination, speed, response and flexibility. If weight is present in both handles and rope portion, the training will show better results for both upper and lower limb strength and coordination. So, in most of the trainings, weighted rope jumping (WRJ) is recommended in order to achieve its useful effects for both upper limb and lower limb.

In 2018, conducted a research work to see the effects of neuromuscular weighted rope jumping training on lower extremity reaction time. Pre and post training visual and auditory response time of both dominant and non-dominant leg was assessed by Opto Jump System and the result indicated that the weighted rope training program is effective in decreasing the reaction time.

In 2017, investigated the effect of simple rope jumping and weighted rope jumping exercise protocol on body structure and strength performance of young women volleyball athletes. The result showed significant improvement in strength and endurance of both upper and lower limb in weighted rope training group.

In 2016, compared the effects of 12-week normal rope jumping protocol with weighted rope jumping training on physical health assessments along with anaerobic efficency, speed, agility and flexibility in girls adolescent volleyball athletes and in the end anaerobic fitness and agility was significantly improved in experimental group.

In 2011 conducted a study to know the outcomes of simple rope skipping or weighted rope skipping training on strength, coordination and proprioception in girls volleyball participants in which results showed that the weighted rope jump protocol group was the most improved group.

In 2015, Speed and Jumping-rope training protocol on fine motor skills of female school population.SO, it was suggested that rope skipping method can be used as a right program for the development of fine motor skills.

In 2013, the study done, it aim to analyze results of weighted rope jumping training (WRJT) performed by repetition procedure on physical fitness and response time of basketball athletes and weighted rope had improved results of heart rate and anaerobic fitness.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male taekwondo players .

  * Athletes having experience of minimum one year
  * Athletes already following taekwondo training program
  * Participants falling in Bantam to light middle weight category

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Having had upper and lower extremity pain in movement rated at least 3/10 on Numeric Pain Rating scale.

  * Having a systemic pathology including inflammatory joint disease.
  * Having had active intervention related to upper or lower extremity pathology in last 3 months
  * Having taken anti-inflammatory medication in the past two weeks.