Effects of Adapted Taekwondo Versus Conventional Training on Anthropometric Variables and Physical Function in Older Women With Abdominal Obesity

Summary

Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of TKD on anthropometric and physical function parameters in older women with abdominal obesity, compared with conventional exercise interventions such as MCT, and WE. We hypothesized that TKD would produce greater improvements in abdominal fat and physical function than MCT and WE in older women with abdominal obesity.

Conditions

• Obesity & Overweight
• Older Women

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

taekwondo training

The TKD program consisted of non-contact exercises performed during the main section of each session. This component included 10 min of basic stances and upper-limb technical actions, such as blocks and strikes, followed by 20 min of lower-limb techniques, including movements, stances, and kicks. These exercises were performed individually and in pairs, with and without taekwondo pads and shields. In addition, specific choreographies or poomsae, including Kibom Poomsae and Il Jang, were practiced for 10 min. During the first four weeks, participants completed three sets of eight repetitions of specific upper- and lower-limb technical exercises, with 2 min of rest between sets From weeks 5 to 8, training volume increased to four sets of eight repetitions for each technical exercise, maintaining 2 min of recovery between sets.

BEHAVIORAL

multicomponent training

program was organized as a 40-min circuit using elastic bands, poles, 2-kg medicine balls, and chairs. The main section included exercises aimed at improving agility, postural balance, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Strength exercises involved major lower-limb muscle groups, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles, and gastrocnemius, as well as upper-limb and trunk-related muscles such as the biceps, triceps, deltoids, and latissimus dorsi. During the first four weeks, the training volume consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions for each strength exercise, with 2 min of rest between sets. Movement execution was controlled, with approximately 2 s for the concentric phase and 4 s for the eccentric phase. From weeks 5 to 8, the volume increased to four sets of 10 repetitions per exercise, maintaining 2 min of rest between sets. During weeks 9 to 12, four sets were maintained, while repetitions increased to 12. In the final phase, from weeks 13 to 16.

BEHAVIORAL

walking exercise

program began with a 5-min warm-up that included joint mobility and flexibility exercises. The main section consisted of walking on level ground for 35 to 50 min, with duration progressively increased by 5 min every four weeks. Each session ended with a 5-min cool-down involving static and dynamic flexibility exercises. Exercise intensity was maintained at a moderate-to-vigorous level, corresponding to 50% to 70% of HRmax, and was monitored using heart rate sensor straps (H10, Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland). Training progression was adjusted every four weeks by increasing walking duration by 5 min and individually regulating cadence, thereby increasing the distance covered by each participant. Perceived exertion was also assessed using Borg's 10-point scale. and complemented with heart rate monitoring. Figure 2 summarizes the evaluation schedule and intervention sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Talca

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidad Católica del Maule

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-07

Primary Completion

2026-08-20

Completion

2026-12-13