Influence of Body Composition and Muscle Power Performance on Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test in Taekwondo Athletes

The Multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT_mult) is used to investigate which characteristics are necessary for, contribute to, or limit the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts in taekwondo. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between anthropometric and body composition characteristics, muscle power performance, and sport-specific anaerobic performance. Nineteen black belt taekwondo athletes (mean ± SD age: 17.2 ± 2.4 years) volunteered to participate. Anthropometric and body composition characteristics (i.e., body height (BH), body mass (BM), fat mass (FM), body fat (BF%), and muscle mass (MM)) and physical performance (squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, and FSKT_mult) were assessed. Data were analyzed with correlation coefficients and simple linear regression. The statistical significance was set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. The total number of kicks in FSKT_mult (FSKT_total) was significantly and positively correlated with MM (<i>r</i> = 0.521, <i>R</i>² = 0.27, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and negatively with BF% (<i>r</i> = -0.499, <i>R</i>² = 0.25, <i>p</i> < 0.05). The FSKT_total was significantly and positively correlated with SJ (<i>r</i> = 0.520, <i>R</i>² = 0.27, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and CMJ (<i>r</i> = 0.508, <i>R</i>² = 0.26, <i>p</i> < 0.05) performance. Body composition optimization, with appropriate physical training and dietary planning, is relevant in taekwondo as the improvement in the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts depends on MM, and its worsening on BF%. Lower limb muscle power positively influences the ability to repeat high-intensity intermittent efforts. Therefore, training programs should emphasize ballistic and plyometric exercises.