Morphological and Motor Fitness Determinants of Shotokan Karate Performance

Paweł Przybylski, Arkadiusz Janiak, Piotr Szewczyk, Dariusz Wieliński and Katarzyna Domaszewska
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Paweł Przybylski: Department of Various Sports and Camp Organisation, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
Arkadiusz Janiak: Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
Piotr Szewczyk: Faculty of Health Sciences, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland
Dariusz Wieliński: Department of Anthropology and Biometry, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland
Katarzyna Domaszewska: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Physical Education, 61-871 Poznań, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: The achievement of high performance levels in a complex structured sport such as karate is determined by the competitor’s physical fitness, fighting technique, tactics and mental state. This study aimed to identify the most important determinants of top-level performance in karate. Methods: The participants were 32 karate competitors (12 women and 20 men) aged 18–25 years. A series of tests measuring 11 anthropometric features was undertaken twice during a year, separated by a 6-week interval during a training camp at the Olympic Preparation Center in Walcz, Poland. Motor skills were measured with strength, speed, endurance, flexibility and reaction time tests. Special motor fitness was assessed with tests of karate technical skills. The results were subject to statistical analysis using multiple stepwise regression of the Polish Karate Federation ranking points as the dependent variable. Results: The multiple regression analysis revealed two main determinants of high scores in female and male karate competitors. In women, these were thigh circumference and the speed of the mawashi-geri-kick roundhouse technique (i.e., the maximum number of delivered kicks in 30 s), whilst for men they were the extent of the sideway leg swing to the highest possible height (yoko-geri) and general endurance assessed with the bent arm hang test. Conclusion: Karate training should account for the determinants of high-level competitive karate performance identified in this study. Strengthening the lower limbs, exercises increasing hip joint mobility, low position movements, performing leg techniques in various planes and applying external loads undoubtedly increase a karate athlete’s strength and lead to the development of a more extensive repertoire of karate leg techniques, especially at the highest-scoring head level (jodan).

Keywords: special motor fitness; speed; flexibility; endurance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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