HIP AND KNEE LOADING OF KARATE PLAYERS PERFORMING TRAINING AND COMPETITION STYLE VERSIONS OF A ROUNDHOUSE KICK

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to examine hip and knee joint loading during the performance of the common roundhouse kicking technique in both a training mode and in a competition mode. 15 black belt karate players performed roundhouse kicks in two different ways, basic kick and competition kick. Motion and force data were collected with a VlCON motion analysis system and two Kistler force plates. 3D joint motions and joint moments about the hip and knee of both the support leg and kicking leg for all kicks were calculated. The maximum moments were more varied between kick types for the kicking leg but the joint angles were similar in most cases. Joint loading comparable to the literature was found for joint previously examined but several high joint moments at extremes of motion were found in the supporting leg.