A KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE KARATE BACK THRUST KICK

The back thrust kick is a karate technique used primarily in a defensive setting. This research described the kinematic variables involved in the skilled execution of the kick. Variables examined included movement sequencing, angular position of the trunk, thigh and leg, angular velocity of the thigh and leg, linear velocity at the ankle and duration of the kick. High speed cinematography was used to film seven subjects as they performed three trials of the back thrust kick. Subjects were highly skilled black belts, four males and three females. Digitizing and computer analysis were done to obtain the variables needed for quantitative analysis. Visual analysis of the film and of graphs showing the quantitative data were used for the qualitative analysis. The two sample t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney analyses were used to compare the influence of gender upon the kinematic variables. Data did not support the hypotheses of significant differences occurring as a function of gender among the variables analyzed. All subjects performed the kick in a similar fashion with males exhibiting minor variations in form during the extension phase of the kick. The major educational implication derived from this research is the necessity to adapt instructional techniques and methods for populations which may vary by gender, height, weight and segment lengths