The gender type of fighters and the technique of movement may have a significant impact on the level of effectiveness of sporting rivalry, yet their significance may differ depending on a multitude of factors. Hence, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of the effective mass and foot acceleration on the force of the turning kick and the side kick depending on the gender type of competitors represented. Material and Methods: The research was participated in by nine practitioners of taekwon-do, four men and five women of a minimum age of 18, all of whom have a black belt. They executed a series of kicks on a tensometric platform known as AMTI, model MC12-2K, series 2000 mounted on a stable construction and a padded training target in order to protect the fighters from injury. The data relating to the acceleration was acquired by means of installing a wireless sensor IMU Ultium by the firm Noraxon near the foot, which is synchronized with the tensometric platform registering the force of the blow. Results: The registered differences between the force pressure in the analysed kicks (turning kick F=84.14; p<0.001) (side kick F=46.62; p<0.001), while also the lack of statistical significance between the effective mass in the case of the turning kick (H=2.80; p=0.094) and the side kick (H=0.02; p=0.879) between men and women. By comparison with men, a strong correlation was noted amongst women between the effective mass and pressure force (r=0.79; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our research reveals that there is a lack of significant differences between women and men in terms of the effective mass acquired in the blows administered, both in the case of turning kicks and side kicks. Nevertheless, due to the lower mass of women that is determined genetically, this factor will always reduce the value of the force of kick acquired. Interdependency of the effective mass and foot acceleration exists depending on the gender type represented while executing a turning kick. However, the execution of the side kick reveals a similar interdependency between these indicators both in the cases of women and men.

Summary: Study aim : The aim of the current study is to reveal the characteristics of punch techniques applied in taekwon-do. Material and methods : The skill quantification was performed on 10 taekwon-do ITF competitors. During the test, they were asked to perform straight punches using both the preferred and the non-preferred fist into the air (i.e. without a physical target) in the lateral position employing both traditional and sport style. Applying reflective markers on fists, the punching kinematic data were collected in the HML (Human Motion Lab). For data analyses, the average and standard deviation of duration, velocity and acceleration were used. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine possible differences (p < 0.05) between the dominant fist and non-dominant fist as well as between the traditional and sport punch. Results : The results revealed that the sport punch is notably faster (shorter punch duration) with a higher acceleration than the traditional one. There is no significant difference between the preferred and non-preferred fist. The results could suggest that the left and right straight punches during taekwon-do training sessions are equally developed. However, the different goals of the punch techniques, i.e. the traditional punch for generating power and the sport punch for quickness, cause significant differences (p < 0.01) in action time. Conclusion : The results imply that a trade-off strategy may play a role in a match, namely a powerful punch for a possible final win or a quick punch for point collection.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency concern and a challenge to students’ mental health due to changes in education and social isolation. The aim of this research was to expand knowledge about the relations that shape the level of anxiety amongst men and women who are studying during the pandemic in terms of the relations towards their sense of social support and their nutritional behaviors. A State–Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to measure anxiety level, alongside supplementary questions such as the feeling of support from close ones, concentration of attention on nutrition during the pandemic and externally derived factors (university, specialization). Analysis of the regression was applied to the examination of the dependency between the anxiety level (in both forms of its occurrence—as state-anxiety and as trait-anxiety). We observed that the pandemic situation affected a level of state-anxiety above average (mean value of 46–48 points) even when students felt social support. Nutrition habits and chosen education type are associated with trait-anxiety level, which was also elevated (mean values of 49–50 points). Chosen factors had a partial influence on the anxiety level of students, therefore their mental health should concern shaping positive nutrition habits and social support.

Background: The aim of this paper is to expand the knowledge on the subject matter of the relations between behavior that is geared towards health and the feeling of effectiveness in the context of martial arts tourism in the form of Taekwon-do training summer camps. Method: The research encompassed 58 people (32 men and 26 women) who train Taekwon-do (ITF) (aged: 26.36 ± 8.97; scope: 18–45 years of age). The measurement of the feeling of effectiveness and healthy behavior was conducted by means of standardized tools, including the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: The analyzed fighters who participated in the research in the majority of the sports meetings declared a higher level of the feeling of effectiveness (p < 0.001). Through cluster analysis emerged two groups, with a significant difference between self-efficacy (mean value of 20.05 points in contrast to 33.93 points in the second group). The group with higher psychological indices values attended a higher amount of summer camps during their practice history (at least two camps attended in the second cluster). Conclusion: Sports tourism connected with martial arts, as exemplified by training groups (professionally organized training camps) of Taekwon-do (ITF), is connected with the increased feeling of personal effectiveness, while also serving the enhancement of psycho-physical health, well-being, and the development of social skills.