The Effect of Giving Hybrid Young Coconut Water to VO2max Teenage Taekwondo Athletes

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of young coconut water on increasing aerobic capacity, as measured by VO₂max, in adolescent athletes. The background of the study was based on the need to improve athlete performance and the potential of natural hydration rich in electrolytes and antioxidants as an alternative to sports drinks, especially for adolescent athletes who require optimal nutritional intake for development and performance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether consuming young coconut water has a significant effect on VO₂max in adolescent athletes. A quantitative research method with a one-group pretest-posttest pre-experimental design was employed on 10 teenage athletes from the Taekwondo Sayoku Club at Bengkulu University, who were purposively selected based on fitness criteria and training experience. Data were collected through VO₂max measurements using the beep test before and after the intervention. Hybrid young coconut water was administered regularly for 2 weeks, with a dosage of 250 ml twice a day after training. Data were analysed using a paired t-test. Results showed that the mean VO₂max increased from 41.0 ml/kg/minute at pretest to 43.6 ml/kg/minute at posttest, with a mean increase of 2.6 ml/kg/minute (p < 0.05). This finding indicates that the administration of young coconut water effectively increases aerobic capacity through optimal hydration mechanisms and improved electrolyte balance. The conclusions of this study highlight the potential of young coconut water as an effective performance-enhancing beverage, making it a practical recommendation.