CENTRE OF MASS MOTION DURING THE PUNT KICK

Abstract

Centre of mass (COM) motion has been linked to performance in kicking and cricket bowling. The aim of this study was to examine COM motion during the punt kick. Five elite Australia Footballers performed maximal and sub-maximal punt kicks. Optotrak Certus (200Hz) collected kinematic data and COM and foot speed were calculated. Greater COM deceleration was linked to faster foot speeds. Large effects existed between maximal and sub-maximal kicks for change in COM velocity and average impulse as well as for correlations between these parameters and foot speed within the maximal kick. Approach speed was significantly larger for maximal kicks but the relationship was unclear with a negative correlation with foot speed existing within maximal kicks. More work with larger N examining COM deceleration is recommended.