Effects of Weighted Rope Jump Training on Physical Fitness in Taekwando Athletes

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.