Characterization of Attack Element Execution Speed in Taekwondo ITF

Taekwon-do as a combat sport technique has a characteristic feature – very fast element execution, and it is one of the factors that determine how successful is a fight. One of the main tasks of the training process is to develop kick speed both in attack and counterattack, where an athlete should react adequately and execute a purposeful element as fast as possible to overtake his opponent. In the training process a coach tries to perfect an athlete’s technique and increase his speed ability. But the question arises how to test whether the applied method and means have increased the speed of the element execution by the trainee. In many cases the result will be stated subjectively observing the kick imitation or element execution in training or competition fights. In the best case the result will be measured using a stopwatch, the fighter executing several kicks, taking the total execution time and dividing it with the number of kicks. To evaluate objectively both the execution of the element technique (trajectory) and speed and acceleration in different kicking phases, it is necessary to apply more effective instrumental methods and carry out a detailed movement analysis. Nowadays technologies with high-speed video (100 Hz and higher) allow us to evaluate these parameters objectively. In many countries research is carried out in different combat sports as karate, taekwondo WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) etc. Unfortunately in Latvia such research is not so widespread and is done only in some kinds of sport. So, it is valuable to introduce new technologies to research technique and speed ability in taekwon-do ITF (International Taekwondo Federation), that will help to organize, perfect and control the study-training process better. The aim of the research was stating of the attack element execution speed in taekwon-do ITF. The data registration was done in LASE wrestling hall on taekwon-do ITF special mat. Movement analysis was performed using two high speed Basler A602fc cameras (100 Hz) and SIMI Motion software. Light-reflecting markers were placed on three body landmarks: hip (Trochanter Major), knee (Condylus Lateralis) and ankle (Malleolus Lateralis). The research subject was a black belt (dan 1) taekwondo fighter (age: 26 years; height: 165 cm; weight: 60.1 kg; experience in sport: 15 years), first, second and third place winner at national and international tournaments. The present research is a pilot study; the experimental setup and necessary adjustments of methodology were tested using with participant, aiming at a further development of the research