BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF FIST PUNCH GYAKU-ZUKI IN KARATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterise the most used fist punch in karate, the so called Gyaku-Zuki. Having a look at current publications, most of them describe the Gyaku-Zuki in a verbal form or they concentrate on analyses about physical parameters. In order to understand and even improve the movement, it is necessary to describe the punch by using biomechanical parameters. Recording the performance of three different karatekas with a VICON system, this study only focuses on the basis-version of Gyaku- Zuki. After giving the movement a structure, first results can be presented e. g. the total time of movement and maximum velocity of fist. For performing a punch all three athletes require less than 400ms and reach a maximum of fist velocity of about 8m/s. So this study will help to understand the Gyaku-Zuki and will pave the way for further analyses.