Successful tactics in taekwondo during Sukan Malaysia 2012

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to analyse the tactics performed by winner and non-winner during Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2012. At present, scientific information and notational analysis on tactical aspects by Malaysia’s taekwondo youth is non-existent. Methods: Sixty two male taekwondo athletes were included in this study. Video recording was taken of 55 matches from quarter final to final involving four weight categories (80kg). Notational analysis for all matches was done using SportsCode Pro 8.5.2. The variables coded were tactics (attack and defence), techniques, target area and point result. The total number of attempts and successful attempts were counted per category for winner and non-winner. Chi-square statistical method was used to compare the total number of successful attempts between winner and non-winner for each tactic. Results: The Chi-square result shows no significant difference between winners and non-winners for tactics used across all weight categories and matches for total successful attempts (x2=4.00, df=3, p<0.05), for successful attacks (x2=5.50, df=3, p<0.05) and for successful defence (x2=1.97, df=3, p<0.05). Winners have 343 total (attack and defence) successful attempts, out of that 192 for attacking and 151 for defending. Non-winner received 172 total (attack and defence) successful attempts with 116 for attacking and 56 for defending. Winners however, have higher percentage of successfulness in attack and defence compared to non-winners. From 2187 total attempts, winners’ successfulness is 9% for attack and 7% for defence. Non-winners have 2352 total attempts, achieving 5% successfulness for attack and 2% for defence. Discussion & Conclusion: The result shows no differences in tactics for both winner and non-winner. Even though non-winners attempt more than winners (total: 2352 vs 2187, attacking attempt: 1749 vs 1391 and defensive attempt: 603 vs 796), winners have higher successfulness in attacking and defensive tactics. Possibly, winners have a qualitative difference that could explain the higher percentage of successfulness in attacking and defensive tactics compared to non-winners. Further investigation should be done in the sequence and quality of attempts to understand more about successfulness of attempts in Malaysian taekwondo youth

Regression analysis of perceived stress among elite athletes from changes in diet, routine and well-being:effects of the covid-19 lockdown and “bubble” training camps

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day “bubble” training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to “normal” training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and “bubble” camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to “normal” training, and trivial to moderate during a “bubble” camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during “bubble” camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (−6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during “bubble” camps (12–18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a “bubble” camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, “bubble” camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split “bubble” periods are recommended