Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine gender-related differences in physical fitness parameters of adolescent competitive taekwondo athletes. Subjects were members of the National Taekwondo Team of Turkey (23 men and 19 women). Men taekwondo athletes’ MaxVO2 level was greater than women (54.13±3.47 versus 43.58±5.37 ml.min-1kg-1). Men taekwondo athletes’ anaerobic power performance was greater than women (101.90 ±15.73 versus 73.69±12.13 kg.m/sec). Men have a better 30-meter sprint time than women (4.31±0.18 versus 4.98±0.21sec). Also, men jumped higher than women (37.17±3.43 versus 26.74±3.39 cm). The medicine ball throw distance was higher for men than women (8.51 ± 1.79 versus 6.11 ± 1.09 m). Men had a greater handgrip force than women in both hands (right and left: 45.35±9.03 kg and 32.27±5.99 kg in men; right and left: 43.08±10.44 kg and 30.24±5.64 kg, in women). In conclusion, sexual dimorphism in aerobic, anaerobic power, vertical jump performance, 30-meter sprint and muscle strength performance except for body mass index was found in adolescent competitive taekwondo athletes.