Influence of Half-squat Intensity and Volume on the Subsequent Countermovement Jump and Frequency Speed of Kick Test Performance in Taekwondo Athletes

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different postactivation potentiation conditioning activities’ volumes and intensities on countermovement jump and multiple sets of high speed kicks. Nine taekwondo athletes (M±SD; age: 20.3±5.2 years; height: 177±7.2 cm; body mass: 71.8±15.3 kg; maximum dynamic half-squat 1RM: 132.8±32.5 kg and practice time: 9.6±7.2 years) participated. One control and four experimental conditions were randomly applied. Each condition was composed of warm-up, conditioning activity (half-squat: 1x3 at 50 or 90% 1RM or 3x3 at 50 or 90% 1RM), followed by a 10-minute rest interval, a countermovement jump and five sets of Frequency Speed of Kick Test. The conditions were compared using an analysis of variance with repeated measures, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. The alpha level was set at 5%. The significant difference was found in the number of kicks among sets (F3,21;128,36=25.34; p<.001; η2=.388 [small]). The rating of perceived exertion before control condition was higher than in all experimental protocols (F4,32=6.64; p=.001; η2=.454 [small]). There were no effects of volume and intensity on the variables investigated (maximum countermovement jump, mean countermovement jump, kick decrement, impact and rating of perceived exertion). Our results indicate that taekwondo athletes does not improve performance after conditioning activities of different volumes and intensities.