A study on some motoric and anthropometric attributes of competitive and non-competitive taekwondo athletes between the age group 9-12 years

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine some motoric and antrophometric attributes of competitive and non-competitive taekwondo athletes within the age group 9-12 years and to determine the difference between those two groups. Material and method: 31 competitive and 29 non-competitive licensed taekwondo athletes voluntarily participated in the study. The average ages, heights and weight of competitive and non-competitive athletes were 11,16±,93 year, 150,58±17,14 cm and 43,80± 13,97 kg, 9,62±,82 year, 137,31±8,80 cm and 35,24±8,28 kg respectively. Both groups have been practising regularly taekwondo for 2,5 years, 2 days a week and two hours a day. Flamingo balance test, test of disk touching, sit and reach flexibility test, long jump while standing still, 30 sec sit-up test, bent arm pull-up test and 10x5m push up run, right and left hand grip strength test and 20 m shuttle run of the Eurofit test battery were used. Body fat percent, body fat mass, fat free mass, body mass index values were measured. Such antrophometric attributes as hand length, calf and femur circumference, arm length, biceps circumference in flexion, arm span length were measured. Results: Results of statistical analyses showed a significant difference between two groups in terms of motoric scores (p<0,01, p<0,001), antrophometric characteristics ( p<0,01, p<0,001), and fat free mass ( p<0,001 ) in favor of the competitive group. Conclusion: Compared with the non-competitive group, significant differences in competitive group can be explained by their active participation in competitions.