Low Extremity Joint Kinematics of Successive Roundhouse Kicking in Taekwondo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics characteristics and the difference between successive roundhouse kicks of taekwondo athletes. Seven collegiate male taekwondo athletes were recruited in this study to perform five successive roundhouse kicks, and compared the lower limb kinematics between highest and lowest kicking velocity. Motion Analysis System (250 Hz) was used to capture the movement of successive roundhouse kicks. Collected data was analyzed with EVaRT 4.65 software. The dependency sample t-test was performed to compare the position and the lower limb kinematics difference between highest and lowest velocity of successive roundhouse kicks. The significant level was set at .05. The results of this study were as follows: The highest speed kicking had: 1. significantly longer movement time; 2. Greater displacement and peak velocity at hip, knee and ankle joints; 3. Smaller peak acceleration at knee joint but greater at ankle joint; 4. Smaller angular displacement at hip joint but greater at knee joint; 5. Faster angular velocity at knee joint; and 6. smaller minimum knee joint flexion angle than the slowest speed kicking of successive kicks. It was concluded that: 1. First kick has longest attack distance and more joint displacement. The angular displacement of hip joint was smaller in order to avoid much flexion of thigh. Knee joint has smaller flexion angle during kicking beginning and has larger angular displacement, faster angular velocity for increase attack effect. 2. The distance of approach attack was shorter while joint displacement decreased during kicking. The angular displacement of hip flexion was larger but the angular displacement of knee flexion was smaller to hit the target with slightly bending knee. Therefore, it suggested that training on the attack distance and interact of each joint during training should be added in order to achieve the stable successive movement and consistent successive kicks.