Relationship between protector color, perception of dominance, and match outcome in a Colombian national taekwondo championship

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The effect of colour on sports performance has been widely studied in Taekwondo, but gaps persist across national contexts and regarding subjective variables, such as perceptions of dominance. This study analysed the relationships among protector colour (red/blue), match outcome, and perceptions of dominance in a Colombian national Taekwondo tournament, while controlling for contextual variables such as sex, age category, method of victory, and point differential.

Material and methods. Using an observational design with 162 matches (324 athletes), objective and subjective data (perception of dominance assessed by trained observers) were recorded and analysed with chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA).

Results. The results showed a balanced distribution of victories by colour (red: 53.7%, blue: 46.3%; χ²=0.97, p=0.32), with no significant association with contextual variables (all p>0.05). However, a relationship was found between the winner's colour and the perception of dominance (χ²=47.88, p<0.001), with a higher match rate for red (69%) than for blue (57%).

Conclusions. It is concluded that, in a context with an electronic scoring system, colour did not influence the objective outcome but did influence perceptions of dominance, suggesting that perceptual effects associated with colour persist and warrant further research.