Intra-limb coordination in karate kicking: Effect of impacting or not impacting a target.
This study aimed to investigate the kicking limb coordinative patterns adopted by karate practitioners (karateka) when impacting (IRK), or not impacting (NIRK) a target during a roundhouse kick. Six karateka performed three repetitions of both kicks while kicking limb kinematics were recorded using a stereophotogrammetric system. Intra-limb coordination was quantified for hip and knee flexion-extension from toe-off to kick completion, using the Continuous relative phase (CRP). Across the same time interval, thigh and shank angular momentum about the vertical axis of the body was calculated. For all trials, across all participants, CRP curve peaks and maximum and minimum angular momentum were determined. A RM-ANOVA was performed to test for differences between kicking conditions. The CRP analysis highlighted, during the central portion of both kicks, a delayed flexion of the hip with respect to the knee. Conversely, during the terminal portion of the CRP curves, the NIRK is performed with a more in-phase action, caused by a higher hip angular displacement. The NIRK is characterized by a lower angular momentum which may enhance control of the striking limb. It would seem that the issue of no impact appears to be solved through the control of all segments of the kicking limb, in contrast to the primary control of the lower leg only observed during the IRK.
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro De Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: fquinzi@libero.it.
Federico
F
Quinzi
Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro De Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: paola.sbriccoli@uniroma4.it.
Paola
P
Sbriccoli
School of Sport Science Exercise and Health, Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, The University of Western Australia M408, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: jacqueline.alderson@uwa.edu.au.
Jacqueline
J
Alderson
FIJLKAM - National Judo, Karate, Wrestling and Martial Arts Federation, via dei sandolini 79, 00122 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: a.dimario@fastwebnet.it.
Alberto
A
Di Mario
Locomotor Apparatus Bioengineering Laboratory, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Piazza Lauro De Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: valentina.camomilla@uniroma4.it.
Valentina
V
Camomilla
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts / Q000502:physiology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D010780:Photogrammetry; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*
Angular momentum; Continuous relative phase; Kicking; Martial arts; Sports