Revista de Artes Marciales Asiáticas

Bruce Lee’s Combat in a Nutshell: an analysis of the strategic contributions of his edited works

Augusto Rembrandt Rodríguez-Sánchez — 2024-02-15

This research examines Bruce Lee’s martial arts philosophy, with a particular focus on his unique approach to jeet kune do, to address the scientific rigour gap in the analysis of his martial arts methodology. The study adopts a case study research strategy and employs content analysis using MaxQDA v.11 software. A selection of Lee’s official literature, prioritising unchanged writings and those reflecting his direct thought, forms the research sample. The key findings highlight Lee’s development of five ways of attacking, demonstrating an intricate knowledge of timing, distance, and rhythm. His emphasis on adaptability in combat emphasises the dynamic interplay between offensive and defensive manoeuvres. Lee’s preference for parrying over blocking, his focus on evasion, and strategic concepts such as seven stars and three fronts emphasise the importance of protecting vital body areas. In summary, Bruce Lee’s martial arts philosophy is characterised by adaptability, strategic decision-making, and efficient technique execution. His approach, constantly evolving and rejecting preconceived combat outcomes, is underpinned by principles of simplicity, economy, fluidity, and spontaneity. This comprehensive system integrates both offensive and defensive strategies, reflecting his commitment to refining the martial arts into a practical and responsive discipline.

Influence of sexual maturation on anaerobic performance of male adolescent wrestlers

Yudelis Leonardo Torres-Álvarez — 2024-03-25

This study aimed to examine the impact of sexual maturation on the anaerobic performance of male adolescent wrestlers. Methods: We included a sample of 29 freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers from various clubs in Barinas, Venezuela. Their physical characteristics were as follows (mean ± SD): age, 14.99 ± 1.83 years; body mass, 54.68 ± 16.80 kg; height, 161.06 ± 12.78 cm; body fat, 12.09 ± 4.11%; body mass index (BMI), 20.58 ± 3.79 kg/m²; and training experience, 3.66 ± 2.27 years. Sexual maturation was evaluated using Tanner's criteria, while anaerobic performance was assessed with the 30-second Wingate test for both lower and upper body. Results: There were moderate to strong significant correlations between maturation development and both peak power (PP) and average power (AP) — for both absolute and relative measures — for the lower and upper body. The fatigue index (%FI) for the lower body did not show any correlation with maturation development or with the pubescent and postpubescent maturation categories. Conversely, the %FI for the upper body demonstrated a significant moderate correlation with maturation development and with the postpubescent maturation category. Additionally, a strong significant correlation was observed between the pubescent maturation category and both PP and AP (absolute and relative) for the lower body. A moderate correlation was found between the postpubescent category and PP (absolute) for the upper body. PP (absolute) and AP (relative) for the upper body had a moderate correlation with the pubescent maturation category, while the postpubescent category showed a strong correlation with PP (absolute), AP (absolute), and AP (relative). Conclusion: The stages of sexual maturation significantly influence the anaerobic capacity of adolescent wrestlers, potentially affecting their training adaptations for peak performance. Future research should explore the physiological responses to training protocols tailored to specific stages of maturation.

Description of physical fitness in Argentinean under-15 judokas

Gaston Guillermo Sanzeri — 2024-04-12

Normative tables are valuable tools for training planning and talent selection in judo. However, normative tables for athletes under the age of 15 have not been found. The aim of this study was to describe the physical fitness of under-15 judokas in Argentina and to elaborate normative tables based on physical tests, including maximum time in suspension with judogi, maximum repetitions of pull-ups, vertical jump test, and Special Judo Fitness Test. Records obtained in 2019 from 212 judokas aged 13 and 14 were analysed for each physical test. Normative tables were created using a percentile scale, classifying as: very poor (<5th percentile); poor (5th to 20th percentile); fair (21st to 80th percentile); good (81st to 95th percentile); excellent (≥96th percentile). These results provide classification standards for female and male under-15 judokas. Five levels were obtained, which could be used to classify under-15 judo athletes.

The institutionalization of taekwondo in South Korea

Hyun Min Choi — 2024-04-18

Taekwondo, designated as the official ‘national sport of the Republic of Korea,’ has been a source of pride and a point of reference for the Korean people. A great variety of academic articles and books have been published over the last decades about the general historical formation of taekwondo; however, the topic of taekwondo’s institutionalization in South Korea has been largely neglected or ignored. At some point in their lives, almost every South Korean, particularly within the male population when they enter military service, undergoes some form of taekwondo training. No other country in the world integrates martial arts in such a wide-ranging manner. Hence, this article aims to explain the broad integration of taekwondo into the public and higher education system and the military of South Korea. Subsequently, this study details taekwondo as a career opportunity in South Korea, which is highly unique among nations. Lastly, this article focuses on the broadening and specialization of taekwondo activities with the spread and popularization of ‘demonstration’ and ‘forms’ taekwondo. In summary, this article aims to explore these phenomena and contribute new insights to the field of Taekwondo Studies.

Synergetic effects of a low caffeine dose and pre-exercise music on psychophysical performance in female taekwondo athletes

Slaheddine Delleli — 2024-04-24

The ergogenecity of caffeine (CAF) and pre-exercise music have been studied extensively in male and mixed-gender groups, but there is limited information on their synergistic effects in females. This study assessed the effects of combining a low dose of CAF with warm-up music on taekwondo specific performance, perceived exertion (RPE), and psychological aspects in female athletes. In a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study, 16 female taekwondo athletes (M ± SD; age: 17.69 ± 0.60 years) performed the taekwondo-specific agility test (TSAT), 10 s frequency speed of kick test (FSKT-10s) and its multiple version (FSKT-mult) under the following conditions: 1) no supplement with music (NS+M); 2) no supplement without music (control); 3) CAF without music (CAF+NM), 4) placebo without music (PL+NM), 5) CAF with music (CAF+M), 6) PL with music (PL+M). After each test, athletes rated their RPE, feeling scale (FS), felt arousal scale (FAS) and physical enjoyment (PACES). CAF+M induced better physical performance than other conditions on the FSKT-10s, FSKT-mult, and more desirable psychophysiological responses including RPE post_TSAT, RPE post_FSKT-10s, PACES post_FSKT-10s, FS, FAS post_warm-up, FAS post_FSKT-10s and FAS post_FSKT-mult (all p < 0.05). Except for PL+M, CAF+M also elicited more desirable responses than other conditions for FAS post_TSAT (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CAF+M and CAF+NM conditions enhanced TSAT, PACES post_TSAT, RPE post_FSKT-mult greater than the other conditions (p < 0.05). Preceding warm-up music stimulus with a low dose of CAF may be a more efficient strategy to enhance physical performance and affective valence in female taekwondo athletes compared with using either strategy in isolation.