Background: Taekkyeon is designated as Korea’s Important Intangible
Cultural Property No. 76 and listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
This study aimed to analyze the exercise intensity of Taekkyeon, with a focus on
Honjayikhigi (“the movements for practice on their own while moving or in place;
the basic movements of Taekkyeon”), Bondaeboegi (“the method of practicing
movements that harmoniously connect Taekkyeon’s offense and defense movements”),
and Majumegigi (“the method of practicing hand and kick movements for offense”)
training movements, which are components of Taekkyeon. Methods: Eleven
Taekkyeon instructors were included in this study. The performance of Taekkyeon
movements was assessed at Dongguk University in March 2022. During Honjayikhigi,
Bondaeboegi, and Majumegigi training movements, heart rates were measured using a
polar monitor. For all variables, the means and standard deviations were
calculated using descriptive statistics, and a paired sample t-test was
used to compare the heart rates among Honjayikhigi, Bondaeboegi, and Majumegigi
training movements. Statistical significance was set at =
0.05. Results: The average heart rates during Honjayikhigi, Bondaeboegi,
and Majumegigi training movements were 131.42 8.85, 128.53 8.43,
and 126.34 9.26 beats/min, respectively. The exercise intensity of
Honjayikhigi was significantly higher than that of Majumegigi (p =
0.200). In Honjayikhigi, the exercise intensities of Naagamyoegigi (p =
0.007) and Mannajungikhigi (p = 0.017) were significantly higher than
that of Seoseoikhigi. In Bondaeboegi, the exercise intensities of Apaugery
Yeodulmadang and Diaugery Nemadang were not significantly different. In
Majumegigi, the exercise intensities of Ikhimsu (p 0.001) and
Majuchagi (p 0.001) were higher than that of Majugeori, whereas
those of Ikhimsu (p = 0.003) and Majuchagi (p 0.001) were
higher than that of Maguemgil. The exercise intensities of Ikhimsu (p =
0.001) and Majuchagi (p 0.001) were higher than that of Allermegigi.
Conclusions: Adjusting the training sequence and duration according to
Taekkyeon level must be considered when establishing a training program because
of the apparent differences in exercise intensity among the training movements.
Our findings suggest that a greater training efficacy can be achieved if training
levels in each Taekkyeon movement are properly classified and customized for
beginners.