Effects of age, gender, practice and training in kinematics and dynamics of Taekwondo kicks techniques

Abstract

Different aspects of Taekwondo were addressed in the literature, such as biomechanics of the main kicks, types of training, sports injuries, biomarkers, etc. Studies aiming to understand how the training can affect the kicks techniques of the different practitioners, could contribute to a better understanding of the sport, since it can identify kinematic and dynamic variables relevant to improve the different kicks techniques. Thus, this study aims to analyze the effects of age, gender, practice and competitive training in the kinematics and dynamics of the Taekwondo kicks. The subjects will be selected at Taekwondo gyms located near to the research center and affiliated to the national organizers institutions of the sport. Two groups are going to be defined, athletes group and practitioners group. A kinematic analysis system (DVideo) with six cameras (Basler, 120Hz) disposed around of the subject are going to be used for the acquisition of retro-reflective markers 3D coordinates, positioned on the upper and lower limbs of subjects. The following kinematic variables are going to be analyzed: a) malleolus linear velocity, b) kick execution time, c) kick height, d) knee angle, e) knee angular velocity, f) hip angle, g) hip angular velocity, g) Euler angles and h) trajectory of the center of mass. The dynamic analysis of the support member are going to be collected using a force platform (Kistler, 100Hz - Bioware) fixed on the floor. The following dynamic variables are going to be obtained: a) ground reaction force components; b) torque components, c) free torque, d) center of pressure. Both systems are going to be synchronized. In order to analyze the influence of training phases, the athletes group is going to be evaluated in three stages: a) pre-competitive, b) control competition and c) the main competition. In order to analyze the influence of gender and practice, the practitioners group is going to be assessed over a year in three samplings performed prior to periods of graduation change. In order to analyze the age influence just one collection is going to be made with subjects between 10-13 years and 14-18 years (practitioners group). The data are going to be compared in terms of 1) leg kick left or right, 2) initial position of the kicking leg, 3) type of kick, 4) age, 5) gender, 6) practice and 7) phases of competitive training.