Influence of Dominant and Non-dominant Body Side on Specific Performance in Taekwondo

To identify the gender-specific influence of dominant laterality of motor abilities on taekwondo techniques performed to the right and left body side, thirty-nine male and eighteen female taekwondoists (age range 10±2 years) underwent two testing sessions to evaluate ambidexterity: (1) motor abilities measured on the left and the right body side; (2) quality of performance of taekwondo leg technique (front kick and roundhouse kick) measured on the right and the left body side. The results of t-test indicated gender differences in the taekwondo technique acquisition and flexibility and defined the body asymmetry differences in motor abilities assessed by the variables grip strength, frequency of alternate leg movements and alternate hand movements (p<.05). According to the regression analysis results for male athletes, motor abilities measured on both the left and the right side of the body were defined with strong linear correlation with taekwondo basic techniques’ performance to both body sides (MC from .75 to .81), while in female athletes, motor abilities measured on the right side of the body were not significant. Gender-based success-related dominant motor abilities profile structure does not condition their influence when it comes to the asymmetric taekwondo performance.