Physical performance profiling of elite female sepak takraw national athletes: A modern sport science approach
Abstract
Background: Sepak takraw is an explosive sport that requires a combination of multiple physical abilities such as speed, agility, muscular strength, flexibility, and endurance. However, most previous studies have focused on the separate analysis of these components with little emphasis on their combined contribution to overall performance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the multidimensional physical performance profile of elite female athletes within a contemporary sports science framework.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional descriptive study of 20 elite female sepak takraw athletes (age 18-25 years) selected by using total sampling from the national training camp of 2025. The criteria in the study included active participation in the national level, at least three years of competitive experience, and no injury at the time of testing. All players had competed in national and international level. Physical performance was measured using standard field tests, including: 20-m sprint (speed), sagittal split (flexibility), Russian twist (core strength), back-up test (back muscle endurance), 4 × 5-m shuttle run (agility), and vertical jump (lower body strength). Aerobic capacity was estimated by multistage fitness testing with maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max) calculated based on the performance of the test.
Results: The results of the study show that the average time taken by female national team athletes to complete a 20-meter sprint was 3.15 seconds; the average flexibility score was 24.20 cm; the average Russian Twist and Back-Up scores were 46.80 and 38.50 repetitions; the shuttle run time was 12.20 seconds; the average vertical jump was 38.10 cm; and the VO₂max value was 48.70 ml/kg/minute.
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of applying an inclusive physical performance profiling model to elitefemale national-level sepak takraw athletes using a contemporary sports science approach.
