Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of combined balance and plyometric training (PT) on the agility and dynamic balance of adolescent taekwondo athletes. METHODS: Thirty female adolescent taekwondo players volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to the combined balance training and PT (CT; n = 15) and PT (n = 15) groups. The CT group performed balance training combined with PT 3 times a week for 6 weeks (40 minutes of plyometrics and 20 minutes of balance training) while the PT group performed only PT for the same period (3 sets × 8-12 reps for each exercise). Both groups received the same routine technical taekwondo training. RESULTS: Post-intervention assessments revealed that both groups significantly improved their dynamic posture stability index scores (DPSI; forward jump [F-DPSI] and lateral jump [L-DPSI]). However, participants in the CT group achieved notably superior outcomes in the F-DPSI and L-DPSI scores compared with those achieved by their PT counterparts. The center of pressure metrics exhibited improvements post-intervention, with scores of specific measures in the PT group surpassing those in the CT group. Additionally, the 5-0-5 test scores exhibited improvements post-intervention, with scores of specific measures in the PT group surpassing those in the CT group, and the TAST (Taekwondo Specific Agility Test) of the CT group and the PT changed significantly after the intervention. CONCLUSION: An 8-week regimen that integrates balance and plyometric training effectively augments knee function and proprioception in adolescent Taekwondo athletes. This study underscores the potential benefits of a combined training approach, providing coaches and athletes with valuable insights into Taekwondo training.