The use of Biomechanics in Teaching Aikido

Abstract

Purpose. This paper aims to examine how the knowledge of biomechanics, specifically of mechanics principles used in teaching aikido techniques, affects the precision of aikido movements execution. It also aims to answer the question whether secondaryschool teaching of solid-state mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, improves the learning outcomes. Basic procedures. The experiment involved 60 second-and third-form secondary-school students, divided into two groups: F (n = 27) and E (n = 33). The research on the understanding of mechanics principles was based on the results of a written test. Group F (experimental group) had been taught the principles of rotation mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, as opposed to group E (control group). Surprise tests were applied to assess the understanding of mechanics rather than retrieving of definitions learned by heart. The experimental group took a written test to assess their understanding of aikido mechanics. Over the period of one month the students in this group had been taught four selected aikido techniques. Using a ten-point grading scale the precision of execution of aikido techniques was evaluated. Main findings. Student's t-test and regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. A statistically significant difference was found between the aikido-enhanced and the conventional ways of teaching solidstate mechanics: the experimental group attained much higher test results than the control group. There was a strong correlation between understanding aikido mechanics and the performance of aikido techniques. Conclusions. Understanding aikido mechanics improves the performance of aikido techniques. Teaching solid-state mechanics, using examples from aikido and other sports, is more effective than teaching physics in the conventional way.

Using the Knowledge of Biomechanics in Teaching Aikido

“…The experiment started in September 2000 and involved 200 pupils (15-16 year olds) attending six secondary school first classes (secondary grammar school and secondary technical school) from a city in Poland [1,2]. The classes were randomly chosen.…”

“…This method also accelerated the process of understanding the rules of mechanics by the students executing a particular technique. The feelings of the students were similar -in the questionnaire made with 273 randomly chosen [1,2] secondary grammar and technical school pupils, 85% of the subjects supported explaining the rules of mechanics using sports performance examples, whereas 76% of them also supported the method of explaining techniques of the performance of certain exercises involving the rules of physics. The present chapter illustrates the experiments that verified the above-mentioned findings.…”

“…Bober [3] in his analysis of definitions of sports technique follows Zatsiorsky [4] who thinks that a sports technique is a term which can be described rather than defined. In the author's opinion [2], the term aikido technique refers to a way of neutralizing a specific attack and simultaneous execution of a specific motor task. Neutralizing can be made [5] by (1) locking, (2) throwing or (3) a combination of both.…”

“…Aikido is a martial art of a defensive character using the power of the attacker. In the self-defence process the following rules are applied [2,6,7]: "give in to win", "turn around if you are pushed", "move forward if you are pulled". In principle, aikido techniques should be elaborated in such a way as to make it possible for even a physically weaker person to execute them against a stronger person [8].…”

“…An approximate formula for a resultant force producing a throw can be determined as follows: The figure does not show all the vectors of the force, which can be obtained by means of, for example, pelvis turns, characteristic for aikido performed by the defender along with the body turns around in a horizontal plane, or by means of a force coming from the use of particular muscles of the attacker. Many authors explain the dynamics of the defence techniques (in martial arts) quoting the principles of biomechanics [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Of special interest here are the lectures of Jigoro Kano explicating the "give in to win" principle.…”