Multi-segmental movements as a function of experience in karate. Issue 15 (3rd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zago, Matteo; Codari, Marina; Iaia, F. Marcello; Sforza, Chiarella
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 35:Issue 15(2017)
• Page Start: 1515
• Page End: 1522
• Publication Date: 2017-08-03
• Subjects: Martial arts -- biomechanics -- coordinative structures -- kihon -- principal movements; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1223332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Karate is a martial art that partly depends on subjective scoring of complex movements. Principal component analysis (PCA)-based methods can identify the fundamental synergies (principal movements) of motor system, providing a quantitative global analysis of technique. In this study, we aimed at describing the fundamental multi-joint synergies of a karate performance, under the hypothesis that the latter are skilldependent; estimate karateka's experience level, expressed as years of practice. A motion capture system recorded traditional karate techniques of 10 professional and amateur karateka. At any time point, the 3D-coordinates of body markers produced posture vectors that were normalised, concatenated from all karateka and submitted to a first PCA. Five principal movements described both gross movement synergies and individual differences. A second PCA followed by linear regression estimated the years of practice using principal movements (eigenpostures and weighting curves) and centre of mass kinematics (error: 3.71 years; R2 = 0.91, P ≪ 0.001). Principal movements and eigenpostures varied among different karateka and as functions of experience. This approach provides a framework to develop visual tools for the analysis of motor synergies in karate, allowing to detect the multi-joint motor patterns that should be restored after an injury, or to be specifically trained to increase performance.