MAXIMUM VELOCITY OF THE STRIKING LEG DURING THE MARTIAL ARTS FRONT, SIDE AND TURNING KICKS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO TECHNIQUE DURATION

Authors

  • C. Abraham
  • J. Kingman
  • R. Dyson

Keywords:

correlation, kung-fu, roundhouse, speed, strike

Abstract

Eight male martial artists performed five repetitions of the front, side and turning kicks at a target. 3-D movement was recorded and automatically digitised at 200 Hz using Peak Motus. The mean maximum velocity (± SE) of the striking leg was 11.77 ± 0.18 m•s-1 for the front kick, 10.44 ± 0.16 m•s-1 for the side kick and 13.06 ± 0.33 m•s-1 for the turning kick. Differences between the front and the side kick, and the front and turning kick were significant (p = 0.001), with the greatest difference between the turning and the side kick (p < 0.0001). The mean duration of the front, side and turning kicks was 0.23 s, 0.25 s and 0.24 s. The side kick was significantly longer than the front kick (p = 0.03). For the front kick, the faster the maximum velocity then the shorter the duration (r = − 0.751, p < 0.0001).

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Section

Coaching and Sports Activities