Development of SAQ Training to Improve Taekwondo Players’ Performance

Background and Aim: The objective of this research is 1 to study the effects of SAQ training on Taekwondo players' performance. 2) to compare the effects of SAQ training on Taekwondo players' performance, and 3) to compare the effects of within-group SAQ training on Taekwondo players' performance during the Pretest, After Week 4, and post-test periods. Materials and Methods: The research design was quasi-experimental, using a two-group experimental design. Taekwondo players aged 14-16 from the Jiujiang Children and Youth Sports School in Jiangxi Province were simply randomly sampled and placed into two groups: experimental and control. They were tested for Taekwondo skills, speed, agility, and quickness before receiving SAQ training and repeating the assessments after week 4 and the posttest. The data were analyzed using statistical software packages for mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA repeated measures, and Bonferroni post hoc analysis. The statistical significance threshold was 0.05. Results: The results showed that: 1) the mean comparison between experimental and control groups, SAQ test (30-meter sprint, ‘T’test, and lateral change of direction) and taekwondo skills (20s turning kick, 20s double chop kick, and combination kick) were significant difference (*p<.05). 2) The mean comparison within the experimental group between the pretest, after week 4, and the posttest, all of the variables pairwise showed significant differences (*p<.50). Conclusion: The SAQ training can improve taekwondo skills.