Association between psychological traits and physical performance in Kyorugi Taekwondo athletes

Abstract

Performance in combat taekwondo depends on a complex interaction between physical and psychological factors, whose specific relationship remains not fully understood. This study examined the association between psychological characteristics related to sports performance, assessed using the CPRD questionnaire, and physical performance in Kyorugi taekwondo athletes. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with 53 competitive athletes (31 males, 22 females; aged 14–25 years). Physical performance was evaluated using vertical jump tests (SJ and CMJ), a sport-specific agility test (TSAT), and a taekwondo-specific intermittent high-intensity test (TAAA). Canonical correlation analysis did not reveal a significant global multivariate relationship between psychological and physical variable sets (Λ = 0.57, p = .39). However, hierarchical regression models identified mean power in the TAAA as a robust predictor of fatigue index (β = −0.53, p < .01), explaining a substantial proportion of variance. The inclusion of psychological variables resulted in a moderate additional increase in explained variance (ΔR² = 0.08), although this increment did not reach statistical significance (p = .09). Significant sex differences were observed in several physical performance variables and in stress control. The findings suggest that psychological characteristics are not globally associated with physical performance but may exert a specific and context-dependent influence, particularly under fatigue conditions. In conclusion, the ability to sustain high levels of power during intermittent efforts emerges as a key determinant of combat performance, while psychological variables may modulate the expression of physical capacities. These results support the implementation of integrated training approaches combining physical and psychological development in taekwondo athletes.