COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE AND TALENT IN ELITE AMERICAN TAEKWONDO ATHLETES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/afdh.v16i1.4109Keywords:
Competitive experience, athletic talent, taekwondo, elite athletesAbstract
Introduction: Prolonged participation in sports competitions is significantly associated with improvements in athletic performance and skills. Objective: To determine the relationship between competitive experience and athletic talent in elite taekwondo athletes. Methodology: A quantitative, observational study with a quasi-experimental design and a descriptive-correlational scope was conducted. The sample included elite taekwondo athletes who participated in training camps organized by the national federation USA Taekwondo (USAT) during the year 2023. Competitive experience was defined as the total number of competitions in which an athlete had participated throughout their sports career. Athletic talent, on the other hand, was assessed based on each athlete’s position in the USAT national ranking. Results: Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant and inversely proportional relationship between competitive experience and athletic talent (p < 0.000), suggesting that a higher number of competitions is associated with a better ranking (closer to the 1st position) in the USAT system. Conclusion: A statistically significant relationship was found between competitive experience and athletic talent. The evidence suggests that greater experience in competitions enhances competitive success and technical skill development in this discipline. Participation in competitions provides taekwondo athletes with opportunities to receive direct feedback on their performance, allowing them to adjust and refine their skills over time.
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