Comparison of maximum muscle torque values of extensors and flexors of the knee joint in kickboxing and taekwondo athletes

In martial arts the key element of the initial preparation is shaping specific coordination skills – appropriate reactions to the opponent’s actions, optimal use of their own technical skills [1-3]. Nonetheless, motor training constitutes an important link of the training process. As proven by studies athletes who achieve the highest sports results are characterized by a similar level of fitness [4-7]. An essential element of rational motor training is diagnostics of its effects. Each training reduces exercise capacity of the body. It is restored only after some time, and then if training was conducted properly, exceeding of the initial values takes place – supercompensation [8]. Simple and objective assessment methods of training effects include the methods of assessing muscular force moments. They are used under static and isokinetic conditions. They provide various information regarding a given muscle group [9-11]. In martial arts competition involves a clash of two sportsmen in a form of impacting the opponent’s body in order to document own advantage. Kickboxing and taekwondo are sports disciplines in which the form of clash of competing athletes includes strikes using arms and legs. In both disciplines harsh measures of impact on the opponent’s body are used. It can be stated that kickboxing and taekwondo have numerous common features [12]. The main cognitive objective of the article was to compare muscular force moment values of extensors and flexors of the knee joint measured under static and isokinetic conditions in kickboxing and ITF taekwondo athletes.