Introduction Rapidity is an important ability of many sports, in karate it becomes a performance’s conclusive factor and it is important to study this ability. The purpose of this study is to compare groups of karate apprentices with male and female Sport Science Faculty students using general and karate specific tests. We will try to underline the possible differences on reaction time between the expertise levels and also between genders. Methods The examined sample contains: 16 males (MS) and 14 females (FS) students, and 6 males (MK) and 5 females (FK) karate apprentices from two clubs. The average ages are (MS 22.4 yr; FS 21.5 yr; MK 20,8 yr; FK 20,4 yr). The average anthropometric data are: weight (Kg) MS 75.5; FS 54.5; MK 77,8; FK 55,8, height (cm) MS 177.8; FS 161.5; MK 178,8; FK 163,6), arm’s length (cm) MS 62,8; FS 57,1; MK 61,7; FK 57,0. The following tests have been used for rapidity evaluation: 1) Drop test, following Lehman’s indications, that appraises the contact time (seconds*10-3) on electric footboard on the ground, after a fall of 20 cm. 2) Tapping test to detect of two feet cyclic frequency (Hz). 3) Punch simplex test, that consists of voluntary execution of karate punch technique (gyaco-tzuki) recorded using a punch-bag fitted without stimulus. The punch-bag was hung so that the centre was set at the height of the subject’s solar plexus (Layton). The measurement was made in seconds*10-2 from start with photocells and stop with shoot detector. 4) Punch reflex test, an execution of the same technique after a light stimulus. An independent samples T test was used to discover the significant differences between groups. Results Drop test, tapping test, punch simplex don’t show significant differences between groups. The average values are: Drop test 0,160±0,022 s, Tapping test 11,6±1,3 Hz. Calculating the rapidity quotient, as proposed by Lehmann (QR=tap. freq./drop), the average value is 73,9±12,8. Punch simplex test 0,479±0,069 s. Punch reflex test 0,429±0,095 s. In this case there are significant differences between male experts (0,498 s) and students (0,374 s), and between male and female (0,493 s) students. Conclusions The results, particularly in the last test, show that students are faster than experts. Students’ better results can be explained thanks to the atypical starting signal and the different movement execution in its preparatory phase. This conclusion agrees to Mori S. et al. statement. References Layton C., “Reaction movement time and sidedness in Shotokan Karate Students” (Perceptual and Motor skill n° 76 ,1993, p 765-766) Mori S., Ohtani Y.,Imanaka K., “Reaction time and anticipatory skills of karate athletes” (Hum. Mov. Science. n° 21, 2002, p. 231-230), Lehmann,F. “Zur Beziehung zwischenSchnelligkeit als neuromuskülare Leistungss-voraussetzung und maximaler Laufgeschwindikeit im sprint Nachwuchstraining” Leistungssport, 21,4, 1992 p. 13-19.
Evaluation of Rapidity in Karate / Merni F.; Pecoraioli F.. - STAMPA. - (2006), p. 111. (Intervento presentato al convegno 11th annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science tenutosi a Lausanne nel 05-08 July 2006).
Evaluation of Rapidity in Karate
MERNI, FRANCO;PECORAIOLI, FABRIZIO
2006
Abstract
Introduction Rapidity is an important ability of many sports, in karate it becomes a performance’s conclusive factor and it is important to study this ability. The purpose of this study is to compare groups of karate apprentices with male and female Sport Science Faculty students using general and karate specific tests. We will try to underline the possible differences on reaction time between the expertise levels and also between genders. Methods The examined sample contains: 16 males (MS) and 14 females (FS) students, and 6 males (MK) and 5 females (FK) karate apprentices from two clubs. The average ages are (MS 22.4 yr; FS 21.5 yr; MK 20,8 yr; FK 20,4 yr). The average anthropometric data are: weight (Kg) MS 75.5; FS 54.5; MK 77,8; FK 55,8, height (cm) MS 177.8; FS 161.5; MK 178,8; FK 163,6), arm’s length (cm) MS 62,8; FS 57,1; MK 61,7; FK 57,0. The following tests have been used for rapidity evaluation: 1) Drop test, following Lehman’s indications, that appraises the contact time (seconds*10-3) on electric footboard on the ground, after a fall of 20 cm. 2) Tapping test to detect of two feet cyclic frequency (Hz). 3) Punch simplex test, that consists of voluntary execution of karate punch technique (gyaco-tzuki) recorded using a punch-bag fitted without stimulus. The punch-bag was hung so that the centre was set at the height of the subject’s solar plexus (Layton). The measurement was made in seconds*10-2 from start with photocells and stop with shoot detector. 4) Punch reflex test, an execution of the same technique after a light stimulus. An independent samples T test was used to discover the significant differences between groups. Results Drop test, tapping test, punch simplex don’t show significant differences between groups. The average values are: Drop test 0,160±0,022 s, Tapping test 11,6±1,3 Hz. Calculating the rapidity quotient, as proposed by Lehmann (QR=tap. freq./drop), the average value is 73,9±12,8. Punch simplex test 0,479±0,069 s. Punch reflex test 0,429±0,095 s. In this case there are significant differences between male experts (0,498 s) and students (0,374 s), and between male and female (0,493 s) students. Conclusions The results, particularly in the last test, show that students are faster than experts. Students’ better results can be explained thanks to the atypical starting signal and the different movement execution in its preparatory phase. This conclusion agrees to Mori S. et al. statement. References Layton C., “Reaction movement time and sidedness in Shotokan Karate Students” (Perceptual and Motor skill n° 76 ,1993, p 765-766) Mori S., Ohtani Y.,Imanaka K., “Reaction time and anticipatory skills of karate athletes” (Hum. Mov. Science. n° 21, 2002, p. 231-230), Lehmann,F. “Zur Beziehung zwischenSchnelligkeit als neuromuskülare Leistungss-voraussetzung und maximaler Laufgeschwindikeit im sprint Nachwuchstraining” Leistungssport, 21,4, 1992 p. 13-19.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
