Bone Health Status, Isokinetic Muscular Peak Torque and Power, and Body Composition of Malaysian Young Male Taekwondo and Wushu Practitioners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the differences of bone health status, isokinetic muscular strength and power, and body composition among Malaysian young male taekwondo and wushu practitioners in Malaysia. Thirty Malaysian participants with mean age 15.6 ± 1.5 years old were recruited. The participants were divided into three groups, i.e. sedentary control, wushu and taekwondo groups. Participant’s percent body fat (%BF), fat-free mass, quantitative ultrasound measurement of bone speed of sound (SOS), and isokinetic muscular peak torque (an indicator of muscular strength), peak torque per body weight and average power of the participants’ knee and shoulder extension and flexion at angular velocities of 60^o.s^-1, 180^o.s^-1 and 300^o.s^-1 were measured. There were no significant differences in %BF and tibial and radial SOS of legs and arms among sedentary control, wushu and taekwondo groups. Besides, fat free mass was significantly higher (p< 0.05) in wushu and taekwondo groups compared to sedentary control group respectively. In general, wushu and taekwondo groups showed statistically significant higher values in most of the muscular peak torque and powers measurements compared to sedentary control group. Wushu group showed statistically significant (p< 0.05) higher values of isokinetic knee extension peak torque per body weight at 60^o.s^-1, 180^o.s^-1 and 300^o.s^-1 compared to taekwondo group. In addition, wushu group also showed significantly (p<0.05) higher values than taekwondo group in most of the isokinetic shoulder extension peak torque and power measured parameters. However, taekwondo group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher values than wushu group in almost all the isokinetic shoulder flexion peak torque and power measured parameters. In conclusion, engagement in wushu and taekwondo could enhance muscular strength and power compared to sedentary lifestyle. Besides, these findings imply that isokinetic knee and shoulder extension strength and power are essential muscular performance variables in wushu, whereas isokinetic shoulder flexion strength and power are essential muscular performance variables in taekwondo. Hence, the findings obtained from this study can be used to guide the sports bodies and coaches in planning specific training programmes, which focus on improving muscular performance variables in martial arts, i.e. wushu and taekwondo in Malaysia.