| THE EFFECT OF FOUR-WEEK ELASTIC BAND RESISTANCE TRAINING ON SPEED, AGILITY, ANAEROBIC POWER AND DYNAMIC BALANCE IN KARATE PRACTITIONERS |
| Paper ID : 1530-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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طاهر افشارنژاد1, زینب قادری *2 1گروه علوم ورزشی، دانشکده روانشناسی و علوم تربیتی، دانشگاه یزد 2دانشگاه شمال |
| Abstract |
| Background: Motor fitness components, including agility, speed, dynamic balance, and explosive power, underpin competitive performance in karate. While standard training yields general adaptations, adjunct resistance modalities—such as elastic bands—may selectively enhance specific neuromuscular qualities. This study investigated the differential effects of a four-week elastic band resistance training protocol versus standard karate training on, speed, dynamic balance, and explosive power in karate practitioners, with maturation status as a covariate. Methods: Twenty-four male and female karatekas (immature: n=12, age 10.54 ± 0.54 years; mature: n=12, age 16.33 ± 2.33 years) from Kermanshah, Iran, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (elastic band training, n=12) or control group (standard training, n=12). Both groups trained three sessions weekly (75 min/session) for four weeks. The experimental protocol integrated medium-tension elastic bands (10–20 kg) into dynamic, karate-specific movements (e.g., Zuki strikes, back-anchored resistance). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included: 9×4 m shuttle run (agility), 30 m sprint (speed), dynamic balance test, and Sargent vertical jump (anaerobic power). Two-way ANCOVA (group × maturation) were conducted (SPSS v.26; α = .05). Results: ANCOVA revealed a significant group effect only for dynamic balance (F(1,20)=5.934, p=.025); no significant differences emerged for agility (p=.147), speed (p=.124), or Sargent jump (p=.842). Maturation and interaction effects were non-significant across variables. Elastic band training elicited greater dynamic balance gains. Conclusion: Four weeks of elastic band resistance training significantly enhances dynamic balance beyond standard karate training, despite comparable improvements in speed, agility, and anaerobic power. These findings support targeted use of elastic resistance for balance-specific adaptations in karate. Future studies should examine neural mechanisms and longer-duration effects. |
| Keywords |
| elastic band resistance training, speed, agility, anaerobic power, balance |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
