Small-sided-game task manipulation is associated with greater motor creativity and coordination variability in beginner female Taekwondo athletes

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of task manipulation through small-sided games (SSG) versus traditional training on motor creativity and kinematic variability in beginner female taekwondo athletes. Sixteen participants (aged 15–21 years) were homogenized using the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and randomly assigned to an SSG group ( n = 8) or a traditional training group ( n = 8). Both groups completed 12 training sessions over six weeks. Motor creativity was assessed post-intervention using observational analysis (fluency, flexibility, originality) by two independent experts. Coordination variability was measured pre- and post-intervention using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors during the rear-foot kick (Tchagui) and analyzed with modified vector coding and Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM1D). The SSG group demonstrated significantly higher motor creativity (fluency: t 14 = 4.17, p = 0.001, d = 2.08; flexibility: t 14 = 3.53, p = 0.003, d = 1.77; originality: t 14 = 4.60, p < 0.001, d = 2.30) and greater hip-knee coordination variability at key movement phases ( p = 0.001) compared to the traditional group. These findings suggest that SSG-based task manipulation is associated with enhanced motor creativity and functional movement variability in beginner female taekwondo athletes. Results should be interpreted cautiously due to the small sample size and absence of a creativity pre-test.