EFFECT OF DYNAMIC TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED BASED ON THE TABATA PROTOCOL ON BALANCE AND STRENGTH PARAMETERS OF ELITE LEVEL COMBAT ATHLETES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 6-week dynamic training program designed based on the Tabata protocol on balance and strength parameters of elite level combat athletes. This randomized controlled experimental study with pre-test and post-test was conducted with 25 randomly selected elite level combat athletes who volunteered to participate in the study, 12 in the experimental group (5 wrestling, 2 judo, 2 karate, 3 taekwondo) and 13 in the control group. In the pre-test and post-test stages of the study, Biodex Balance SD (Biodex Inc., Shirley, NY) balance device was used to determine static and dynamic balance performances of the athletes. The strength performance of the athletes was determined by measuring back, leg, and grip strength using a back-leg dynamometer (TKK 5402) and a hand grip dynamometer (Takei). After data collection, SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis of the data and the significance level was set at p<0,05. At the end of the study, it was determined that the differences between pre-test and post-test body weights and eyes open and closed dynamic balance levels of the experimental group athletes were statistically significant (p<0,05), whereas the differences between the measurement results of control group athletes were not significant (p>0,05). The Tabata protocol is a high intensity interval training technique and is effective on aerobic-anaerobic energy systems. The movement determined for the session is repeated intensely, rhythmically, and continuously during the exercise window. As a result, the Tabata protocol supports dynamic balance and strength improvement of elite combat athletes through dynamic exercises.