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 11.4m/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.
Highlights
Human movement variability and the complex manner in which skills and coordination alter over time pose challenges in describing and analysing human movement systems
Higher velocities for the segment centre of masses were noted in the approach to contact for both groups, and there was a progressive increase in maximum velocity from the most proximal to the most distal segment (Table 2)
For non-elites for the crucial maximum knee flexion (MF)-IM period, the maxima are significantly distant from the ends of the relevant periods, indicating overshoots in relative joint movements for non-elite players
Summary
Human movement variability and the complex manner in which skills and coordination alter over time pose challenges in describing and analysing human movement systems. The main advantage of CRP is that it combines four variables - displacements and velocities of proximal and distal joints - into one measure.[2] ev
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