Byeong Seok Min1, Woo Jin Kim C1, Hun Jung2

 1 Chung Nam University, 99, Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
2 Joongbu University: Daejeon, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

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Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Taekwondo is one of the most popular hand-to-hand combat systems, and therefore also physical activity and has been shown to be effective in improving a variety of physical abilities. Taekwondo is a comprehensive exercise program that combines physical training with mental discipline. It is known to be effective in improving cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility, and meets the WHO's physical activity recommendations. However, given that exercise interventions may have different effects on different genders, there is a need for systematic analyses of gender differences in the health effects of taekwondo practice. The cognitive purpose of this meta-analysis was knowledge about the health effects (associated with fitness) of participation in taekwondo training of men and women. The application goal is recommendations for personalized exercise strategies that compensate for fitness components adapxed to the gender of the taekwondo practitioner from the perspective of health benefits.

Material and Methods: We systematically searched the literature according to PRISMA guidelines and included 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in our meta-analysis. Study-specific effect sizes were calculated using Hedges' g, and gender subgroup analyses were performed.

Results: Taekwondo practice has been shown to provide significant physical health benefits for both men and women, but gender differences in effectiveness have been observed in some fitness components. The meta-analysis showed that the male group had significantly higher effect sizes than the female group on agility and flexibility metrics (agility: p<0.01; flexibility: p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between men and women for strength and muscular endurance.

Conclusions: Although taekwondo is an effective physical health promotion exercise for both men and women, gender differences in agility and flexibility improvements were found. Men showed greater improvements in agility and flexibility, which could be attributed to differences in baseline fitness levels and the neuromuscular adapxive nature of taekwondo training. However, there were no gender differences in strength and muscular endurance, suggesting that taekwondo provides equal musculoskeletal benefits to both genders. These results suggest that a gender-specific approach to taekwondo program design is required. In particular, more intensive and differentiated training strategies are required to improve agility in women, while for men, taekwondo can be an effective way to compensate for their relative lack of flexibility.

Keywords: agility, cardiovascular health, flexibility, muscular strength, physiological benefits, public health

AMA:
Min BS, Kim WJ, Jung H. Gender difference in health benefits from taekwondo participation as a physical activity ‒ meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon. 2025;21.

APA:
Min, B. S., Kim, W. J., & Jung, H. (2025). Gender difference in health benefits from taekwondo participation as a physical activity ‒ meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon, 21.

Chicago:
Min, Byeong Seok, Woo Jin Kim, and Hun Jung. 2025. "Gender Difference in Health Benefits from Taekwondo Participation as a Physical Activity ‒ Meta-Analysis." Arch Budo J Inn Agon 21.

Harvard:
Min, B.S., Kim, W.J. and Jung, H. (2025). Gender difference in health benefits from taekwondo participation as a physical activity ‒ meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon, 21.

MLA:
Min, Byeong Seok, Woo Jin Kim, and Hun Jung. "Gender Difference in Health Benefits from Taekwondo Participation as a Physical Activity ‒ Meta-Analysis." Arch Budo J Inn Agon, vol. 21, 2025.

Vancouver:
Min BS, Kim WJ, Jung H. Gender difference in health benefits from taekwondo participation as a physical activity ‒ meta-analysis. Arch Budo J Inn Agon. 2025;21.