Kendo Athletes Research Articles

Influence of Long-Term Kendo Training on the Geometric and Mechanical Properties of the Achilles Tendon

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in the geometric and elastic properties of the Achilles tendon between right and left ankles in kendo (japanese fencing) athletes, who engaged in kendo training for years, and matched controls. The subjects were twelve kendo athletes and nine controls (21 and 20 yrs, 65 and 60 kg, and 172 and 171 cm, respectively). While the subjects developed maximum voluntary isometric plantarflexion (MVIP) torque (TQ), the tendon displacement and ankle joint rotation was determined using a B-mode ultrasonograph and a goniometer, respectively. The tendon force (F) was calculated from TQ and the moment arm of the Achilles tendon. The elongation of the Achilles tendon (∆X) was obtained from the tendon displacement and ankle joint rotation. The cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (CSA) was measured using a B-mode ultrasonography. The Achilles tendon stiffness (k) was defined as F divided by ∆X, stress (σ) as F divided by CSA, strain (e) at MVIP as ΔX divided by the Achilles tendon length at rest (Lr), and Young's modulus (E) as σ divided by e. The results showed that there were no significant differences in TQ, F, σ, Lr, ΔX, e, k, and E between right and left ankles for both control and kendo athlete subjects, and between control and kendo athlete subjects. CSA of kendo athletes' right ankles was significantly greater than that of kendo athletes' left ankles (p=0.03). It was suggested that a long-term kendo training did not affect the elastic properties of the Achilles tendon and resulted in smaller Achilles tendon CSA in left ankles.

Characteristics of Bone Mineral Density in Male and Female University Kendo Athletes

Characteristics of Bone Mineral Density in Male and Female University Kendo Athletes

Strenuous exercise-induced change in redox state of human serum albumin during intensive kendo training.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of human serum albumin (HSA) using an ion-exchange (DEAE-form) column shows three components: The principal component corresponds to human mercaptalbumin (HMA); the secondary to nonmercaptalbumin (HNA), having mixed disulfide with cystine (HNA[Cys]), or oxidized glutathione (HNA[Glut]); and the tertiary to HNA, oxidized more highly than mixed disulfide. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the effects of strenuous exercise load on HMA--><--HNA conversion (i.e., dynamic change in redox state) of HSA from elite kendo athletes (n=30; 20.0+/-1.1 years old). They participated in an intensive kendo training camp for 5 d. The mean value for the HMA fraction (f[HMA]) of kendo athletes after camp (62.8+/-2.4%) was significantly lower than before camp (71.9+/-3.7%) (p<0.0005). In contrast, the mean value for f(HNA-1) (i.e., f[HNA(Cys) and HNA(Glut)]) after camp (34.2+/-2.1%) was significantly higher than before camp (25.7+/-3.7%) (p<0.0005). These results suggested that strenuous physical exercise markedly increased the oxidized albumin level in extracellular fluids during the intensive training camp.

Coactivation of the flexor muscles as a synergist with the extensors during ballistic finger extension movement in trained kendo and karate athletes.

To analyse the effects of ballistic property training on ballistic finger extension movement, surface electromyographic pattern (EMGs) of the finger extensor and flexor muscles and the acceleration signal of the middle finger were recorded in trained kendo and karate athletes, and sedentary non-athletic men. Ballistic finger extension did not show the characteristic triphasic EMG pattern reported in single joint, but a coactivation of flexor and extensor muscles. Reaction time (RT) in kendo (143 +/- 12 msec) and karate (146 +/- 11 msec) athletes were significantly shorter than that in the control (176 +/- 12 msec). The shortenings of the RT were attributed to both the shortenings of premotor time and motor time. The delay of the flexor muscles discharge after those of the extensors in kendo (0.8 +/- 7.0 msec) and karate (-0.2 +/- 5.0 msec) athletes was significantly shorter than in control (12.7 +/-5.6 msec). These results suggest that the RT is shortened through motor learning in the kendo and karate athletes who trained for momentary movements; and that the flexor muscles may play an important role as a synergist in heightening the efficiency of ballistic finger extension in coordination with the extensor muscles.

Sensorineural hearing loss with a 2kHz-dip in Kendo athletes

Sensorineural hearing loss with a 2kHz-dip in Kendo athletes

The Trend of Self-esteem in University Kendo Athletes

The Trend of Self-esteem in University Kendo Athletes