Convergent validity of taekwondo high-intensity intermittent sport-specific tests and their relationship with lower limb muscle power performance

Objective The interchangeability between multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT mult ) and chest Taekwondo Anaerobic Intermittent Kick Test (TAIKT chest ) has not been established, which prevents determining whether they reflect the same underlying construct of ability to repeat high-intensity kicks. Moreover, the relationship between the ability to repeat high-intensity kicks and lower limb muscle power requires further investigation. This study aimed to: establish the construct convergent validity between the FSKT mult and TAIKT chest ; investigate their relationship with countermovement jump (CMJ) test. Methods Twenty-two national/international-level taekwondo athletes participated in this study. On the first day, they performed three CMJ followed by one of the intermittent tests in a randomized and counterbalanced order. After 48 hours, the other intermittent test was performed. During the FSKT mult and TAIKT chest , heart rate (HR) was measured, while blood lactate concentration ([La]) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at the end of the tests. Results FSKT mult total kick performance, as well as absolute and relative power performances, showed high shared variance ( R 2 = 62–92%, p < 0.001) with respective TAIKT chest performances. HR, [La], and RPE responses were significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.4–1.3) in the FSKT mult than in TAIKT chest . Most high-intensity intermittent performances showed high significant correlations ( r = 0.51–0.78, p < 0.05) with respective CMJ performances. Conclusions FSKT mult performances can be predicted from the respective TAIKT chest performances and vice versa. However, the distinct methodological characteristics of the tests generate specific performance, physiological, and perceptual dynamics. Lower limb muscle power could influence performance in high-intensity kicks.