Abstract
To date, published data on comparisons of physical fitness components of Malaysian young female sedentary individuals, silat and taekwondo practitioners are limited. Aim: This study investigated aerobic and anaerobic capacities, flexibility and muscular performance in Malaysian young female sedentary individuals, silat and taekwondo practitioners. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six young female participants (age ranged 15 to 20 years old) with three groups, i.e. sedentary control, silat and taekwondo groups (12 participants per group) were recruited in this study. All participants performed anthropometric and body composition assessments, aerobic capacity measurement via estimated maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) test, Wingate test anaerobic capacities test, flexibility measurement via sit and reach test, muscular strength and explosive power measurements via hand grip strength test, back and leg strength test and standing long jump explosive power test. One-Way ANOVA was performed to determine the differences of the measured parameters among groups. Results: Silat group showed significantly (p<0.05) greater flexibility and handgrip strength of dominant and non-dominant hands compared to sedentary control group. Taekwondo group showed greater value of estimated VO2max compared to sedentary control group and silat group respectively. There were no significantly differences in back and leg strength, jumping explosive power and Wingate anaerobic capacities among sedentary control, silat and taekwondo groups. Conclusion: Silat and taekwondo could enhance certain physical fitness components compared to sedentary lifestyle. Silat practitioners are characterised by high flexibility and strong hand muscle. Both taekwondo and silat practitioners possessed similar anaerobic capacity, however, taekwondo practitioners showed higher aerobic capacity than silat practitioners. These results can be used as guidelines for planning training program for taekwondo and silat practitioners, as well as promoting active lifestyle by engaging in martial arts such as taekwondo and silat.
Description
This study compares physical fitness components among Malaysian young female sedentary individuals, silat and taekwondo practitioners.