VALIDITY OF A TAEKWONDO-SPECIFIC TEST TO MEASURE V̇O₂PEAK AND THE HEART RATE DEFLECTION POINT

This study investigated whether the progressive specific taekwondo test (PSTT) is a valid test to measure peak oxygen consumption (V̇O₂peak) and the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) in taekwondo athletes. Eighteen male black belt athletes (25.3 ± 4.8 years; 8.2 ± 4.7 years of practice; 171.8 ± 4.7 cm; 76.1 ± 8.2 kg, and 13.1 ± 2.9% body fat) involved in regional- and national-level competitions performed the PSTT and an incremental treadmill test (IT). The following variables were analyzed: V̇O₂peak, respiratory quotient, oxygen consumption at the HRDP (V̇O₂HRDP), peak heart rate (HRpeak), HRDP, and peak posttest blood lactate concentration. During the PSTT, the peak kick frequency (FKpeak) and kick frequency at the HRDP (FKHRDP) were also obtained. During the IT, the peak speed and the speed at the HRDP were identified by the Dmax method (the first and last points of the curve were connected by a straight line, and the most distant point of the curve to the line was considered as the HRDP). No differences were observed between V̇O₂ responses during the PSTT and IT (p > 0.05). V̇O₂peak and V̇O₂HRDP presented bias (1.3 ml·kg^-1·min^-1 and 20.78 ml·kg^-1·min^-1, respectively) derived from the Bland and Altman plots, with the 95% limits of agreement indicating that the differences between the 2 measures can reach 11% for V̇O₂peak and 17% for V̇O₂HRDP. The PSTT is a valid tool to assess aerobic power and capacity in taekwondo athletes based on direct comparisons to a treadmill test. The test presents more specific variables for the assessment and training of taekwondo athletes, such as FKpeak and FKHRDP, which can be used to determine and control the effects of training and help coaches in prescribing training programs.