Interjoint Coordination in Kicking a Moving Target: A Comparison Between Elite and Nonelite Taekwondo Players

Abstract

Patterns of interjoint coordination in the kicking legs of taekwondo players were investigated to understand movement pattern variability as a functional property of skill level. Elite and nonelite players performed roundhouse kicks against a custom-built moving target fitted with an accelerometer, and movements were recorded by motion capture. Average foot segment velocities of 13.6 and 11.4 m/s were recorded for elite and nonelite players, respectively (P < .05), corresponding to target accelerations of 87.5 and 70.8g (P < .05). Gradient values derived from piecewise linear regression of continuous relative phase curves established the comparative incoordination of nonelite taekwondo players in the form of an overshoot behavior during the crucial period leading to target impact (P < .05). This overshoot was apparent in both knee–hip and ankle–knee continuous relative phase curves. Elite players generated greater limb speed and impact force through more effective limb segment coordination. The combination of continuous relative phase and piecewise linear regression techniques allowed identification of alternate joint control approaches in the 2 groups.

Impact Force and Velocities for Kicking Strikes in Combat Sports: A Literature Review

“…Velocity and impact force values from the literature search are presented in Figure 2 and Figure 3 . The velocity of kicks was reported in 31 instances for the roundhouse kick [ 2 , 12 , 21 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 53 , 57 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], 10 for the roundhouse kick to the head [ 24 , 59 , 66 , 67 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ], 8 for the side kick [ 13 , 25 , 28 , 57 , 65 , 71 , 72 , 81 , 82 ], 19 for the front kick [ 11 ,…”

“…Researchers and practitioners using these technologies must be aware of and adept at addressing various issues. These include aberrant movements of kinematic markers [ 53 , 100 ], differences in protective layers applied on devices that dampen impact force [ 111 , 112 ], and variabilities or errors in sensor positioning [ 68 ]. These nuances, coupled with the absence of a universally recognised ‘gold standard’ methodology for measuring striking performance, especially regarding impact force [ 4 , 8 ], pose a significant challenge in standardising the assessment of striking performance.…”

“… Means and standard deviations of peak linear foot velocity (m/s) for kicking strikes in combat sports: ( a ) roundhouse kick, ( b ) roundhouse kick to the head; ( c ) side kick, ( d ) front kick, ( e ) back kick, ( f ) axe kick. Where an error bar is absent, only a maximum velocity value was reported [ 2 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 55 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , …”

“…The determinants of kicking velocity and impact force can be categorised into four domains based on the studies identified in this review: technical proficiency, lower body strength and flexibility, effective mass, and target factors. Studies exploring the effect of technical efficiency have noted that those of higher skill qualification can generate higher foot velocity [ 12 , 21 , 45 , 68 , 92 , 102 ] and impact force [ 49 , 55 , 110 ] than those of lower skill.…”

A guide to inter-joint coordination characterization for discrete movements: a comparative study

“…Other articles have suggested different tools to analyze the CRP pattern, such as linear regression [ 56 ]. Some variants of the CRP have also been used as Discrete Relative Phase (DRP), to evaluate the timing of key events in each of the angle profiles [ 53 , 57 ].…”