Effects of Taekwondo Match-Simulated Fatigue on Static and Dynamic Balance Performance in Female Athletes

Abstract

Background: Balance is an important aspect of physical performance in taekwondo and can be affected by the high-intensity, intermittent, and repetitive movements carried out during a competition. This study investigated the effects of a taekwondo match-simulated fatigue protocol on static and dynamic balance performance in trained female taekwondo athletes.

Methods: Eighteen trained female taekwondo athletes participated in a single-group repeated-measures study. Static and dynamic single-leg balance was assessed on the dominant leg at rest and immediately after a taekwondo-specific match-simulation protocol using the Biodex Balance System. The protocol comprised three 2-minute rounds separated by 1-minute rest intervals. Balance performance was evaluated using the Overall Stability Index, Anteroposterior Stability Index, and Mediolateral Stability Index. Separate 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed to examine the main effects of time and balance condition and their interaction, with partial eta squared (η²ₚ) reported as the effect-size measure.

Results: No significant main effects of time or balance condition and no significant time × balance condition interactions were found for the overall, anteroposterior, or mediolateral stability indices (p ≥ .149).

Conclusions: Under the present protocol and assessment conditions, no statistically significant changes in static or dynamic single-leg balance performance were detected following the taekwondo match simulation. These

Findings: should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, the absence of a control condition, and the lack of direct physiological or perceptual verification of fatigue. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number (NCT07747064) and date (20260725).