Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- 2020| Archives of BudoBackground and Study Aim: Professional taekwondo (TKD) athletes possess below average body fat percentages and the overall winners at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games had a lower body mass index (BMI). Further, physical fitness remains one of the main factors for success in TKD. This indicates the importance of managing body composition and physical fitness for TKD performance. This study’s aim was to generate knowledge about the effect of a fourweek high-intensity intermittent TKD and strength training conditioning program on body composition and physical fitness of South African TKD athletes. Material and Methods: Twenty male participants were randomly assigned to a low-intensity (LI)(n= 10) or high-intensity (HI)(n= 10) group. The study consisted of a four-week, five times weekly TKD training and three times weekly resistance training program. The TKD training program for the HI group consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 60-minute workout at 85-95% HRmax for weeks 1-2 and at 90-100% HRmax for weeks 3-4 and a 10-minute cool down. The TKD training program for the LI group consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 60-minute workout at 60-70% HRmax for weeks 1-2 and 70-85% HRmax for weeks 3-4. Both groups also participated in a 60-minute resistance training program for three sets of 8-10 repetitions. Results: Significant (p≤ 0.05) improvements were found in body mass (p= 0002), BMI (p= 0.004), sum of skinfolds (p= 0.006) and body fat percentage (p= 0.009) of the HI group. The LI intervention significantly decreased body fat percentage (p= 0.001), but not body mass (p= 0.056), BMI (p= 0.077), and sum of skinfolds (p= 0.820). Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences in BMI (p= 0.022) and sum of skinfolds (p= 0.042). Significant improvements were found in sit-and-reach (p= 0.034), sit-ups (p= 0.025), push-ups (p= 0.001), horizontal jumps (p= 0.007), VO2max (p= 0.026) and agility (p= 0.037) in the HI group. No significant improvements were observed in any of the physical fitness parameters assessed in the LI group. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences in sit-and-reach (p= 0.044), sit-ups (p= 0.001), push-ups (p= 0.006), horizontal jumps (p= 0.037), VO2max (p= 0.004) and agility (p= 0.018). Conclusions: High-intensity TKD training along with resistance training can be implemented in the training regimes of TKD athletes when preparing for national and international competitions to enhance combat performance.
- 1
- 7
- 0
- Considering the global health threat posed by kidney disease burden, a search for new nephroprotective drugs from our local flora could prove a powerful strategy to respond to this health threat. In this study we investigated the antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective potential of RA-3, a plant-derived lanosteryl triterpene. The antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective effect of RA-3 was investigated using the adenine and gentamicin induced hyperuricemic and nephrotoxicity rat model. Following the induction of hyperuricemia and nephrotoxicity, the experimental model rats (Sprague Dawley) were orally administered with RA-3 at 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, daily for 14 days. Treatment of the experimental rats with RA-3, especially at 100 mg/kg, effectively lowered the serum renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) and hyperuricemic (uric acid and xanthine oxidase) biomarkers. These were accompanied by increased antioxidant status with decrease in malondialdehyde content. A much improved histomorphological structure of the kidney tissues was also observed in the triterpene treated groups when compared to the model control group. It is evident that RA-3 possesses the antihyperuricemic and nephroprotective properties, which could be vital for prevention and amelioration of kidney disease.
- 1
- 10
- 0