Comparison of effectiveness of Karate, Taekwondo and Judo training on physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in students of Imam-Hossein University

Comparison of effectiveness of a period of eight weeks Karate, Taekwondo and Judo training on physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in military students of Imam-Hossein University. Dependent variables determined before and after eight weeks Karate, Taekwondo and Judo trainings. T-paired samples and one-way ANOVA were used for analysis of data at P<0.05. Karate training led to elevation of Vo2max, muscular endurance and HDL and reduction of speed, Taekwondo training led to elevation of agility, muscular endurance, HDL and fibrinogen and reduction of Vo2max, speed and triglyceride and Judo trainings led to elevation of agility, muscular endurance, HDL and homocysteine and reduction of speed (P<0.05). Vo2max was different between Karate with Taekwondo and Judo groups. Also elevation of muscular endurance in Judo athletes was higher than Taekwondo athletes (P<0.05). Karate, Taekwondo and Judo trainings were effective on elevation of muscular endurance, but more attention is needed to speed, agility and upper extremity endurance in Karate, speed, Vo2max and trunk muscles endurance in Taekwondo and speed and Vo2max in Judo. Also novel strategies are needed for modulation of cardiovascular risk factors in university students.