Kinematic Differences between Traditional and Sport Version of Roundhouse Kick Executed by Male Taekwon-do Masters

Background: Different competitions require mastery in different forms of technique execution, which changes their kinematics. The aim of this study was to obtain knowledge about kinematic indicators that determine the effectiveness of two versions of taekwon-do roundhouse kicks: sport and traditional. Methods: The analysis included 180 kicks performed by 15 male Taekwon-do masters from the International Taekwon-do Federation. The study was performed using a stereo photogrammetry method with a set called Human Motion Lab, composed of 10 infrared NIR Vicon MX-T40 cameras. Results: Obtained results showed, that there are significant differences in the maximal velocity and time of execution for both lower limbs (p $<$ 0.01) in terms of technique version. Sport version of roundhouse kicks had shorter execution time and higher maximal velocity (0.45–0.46 s, 12.26–12.44 m/s). There were no significant differences between the left and right lower limbs for each technique. There was no significant correlation between lower limb length and maximal velocity or execution time of the kicks. Conclusions: Modern competitions forced the evolution of sports versions from the traditional type of execution which was confirmed by better kinematic results. The lower limb length did not determine the speed of the roundhouse kick. Taekwon-do masters can perform roundhouse kicks without significant differences between their lower limbs, which means that the lateralization effect is not present.

kicking velocity; taekwon-do; movement analysis; kicks kinematics; traditional technique; sport kick

[1] Choi, Hong H. Taekwon-do. The Korean Art of Self-Defence. International Taekwon-do Federation: New Zealand. 1995.

[2] Wasik J, Ortenburger D, Góra T, Mosler D. The influence of ef-fective distance on the impact of a punch - Preliminary Analysis. Physical Activity Review. 2018; 6: 81–86.

[3] Cular D, Munivrana G, Katić R. Anthropological analysis of taekwondo–new methodological approach. Collegium Antropo-logicum. 2013; 37: 9–18.

[4] Chung B, Johnson JA. Taekwondo Poomsae Competitor Percep-tions of the Official and New Competition Poomsae, Field of Play, and Competition Rules. Physical Activity Review. 2019; 7: 28–39.

[5] Wąsik J. Kinetics of the knife-hand strike used in power break-ing in ITF Taekwon-do. Physical Activity Review. 2015; 3: 37–43.

[6] Wąsik J. Modern machines for special techniques event in Taekwon-do ITF. Ido Movement for Culture-Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology. 2009; 9: 226–230.

[7] Hoelbling D, Baca A, Dabnichki P. Sequential action, power generation and balance characteristics of a martial arts kick com-bination. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. 2020; 20: 766–781.

[8] Hölbling D, Preuschl E, Hassmann M, Baca A. Kinematic anal-ysis of the double side kick in pointfighting, kickboxing. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2017; 35: 317–324.

[9] Estevan I, Jandacka D, Falco C. Effect of stance position on kick performance in taekwondo. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2013; 31: 1815–1822.

[10] Estevan I, Jandacka D, Farana R, Falco C. Kinematic analysis of a roundhouse kick according to the stance position. 30 Interna-tional Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Melbourne, Aus-tralia, July 02 – July 06: ISBS-Conference Proceedings Archive. 2012.

[11] Boyat A, Singh A, Sandhu J. The kinematics analysis of pre-ferred and non-preferred roundhouse kick according to stance position in indian taekwondo players. International Journal of Therapies and Rehabilitation Research. 2017; 6: 181.

[12] Pozo J, Bastien G, Dierick F. Execution time, kinetics, and kine-matics of the mae-geri kick: comparison of national and interna-tional standard karate athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2011; 29: 1553–1561.

[13] Pyciarz T. Analysis of sport fight structure in taekwondo dur-ing the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 and Senior World Champi-onships in 2009 in terms of technical skills after regulation ame ndme nts and implementation of the electronic system of score recording. Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts. 2011; 2: 109–115.

[14] Falco C, Alvarez O, Castillo I, Estevan I, Martos J, Mugarra F, et al. Influence of the distance in a roundhouse kick’s execution time and impact force in Taekwondo. Journal of Biomechanics. 2009; 42: 242–248.

[15] Estevan I, Alvarez O, Falco C, Molina-García J, Castillo I. Im-pact force and time analysis influenced by execution distance in a roundhouse kick to the head in taekwondo. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2011; 25: 2851–2856.

[16] Serina ER, Lieu DK. Thoracic injury potential of basic competi-tion taekwondo kicks. Journal of Biomechanics. 1991; 24: 951–960.

[17] Lan Y-C, Wang S-Y, Wang L-L, Ko Y-C, Huang C. The kineamtic analysis of three taekwondo kicking movements. 18 International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. Hong Kong, China, June 25 – 30, 2000: ISBS-Conference Proceed-ings Archive. 2000.

[18] Kim YK, Kim YH, Im SJ. Inter-joint coordination in producing kicking velocity of taekwondo kicks. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 2011; 10: 31–38.

[19] Wasik J. The structure of the roundhouse kick on the example of a European Champion of taekwon-do. Archives of Budo. 2010; 6: 211–216.

[20] Wasik J. Kinetics of the knife-hand strike used in power breaking in ITF Taekwon-do. Physical Activity Review. 2015; 3: 37–43.

[21] Landeo R, Mcintosh AS. Kinetic and Kinematic Differences Be-tween Target and Free Kicking in Taekwondo. 26 International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. 2008: 187–90.

[22] Gavagan CJ, Sayers MGL. A biomechanical analysis of the roundhouse kicking technique of expert practitioners: a compar-ison between the martial arts disciplines of Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo. PLoS ONE. 2017; 12: e0182645.

[23] Moreira PVS, Falco C, Menegaldo LL, Goethel MF, de Paula LV, Gonçalves M. Are isokinetic leg torques and kick veloc-ity reliable predictors for competitive success in taekwondo ath-letes? PLoS ONE. 2021; 16: e0235582.

[24] Bartlett R. Introduction to sports biomechanics: Analysing hu-man movement patterns. Routledge: New York. 2021.

[25] McGinnis PM. Biomechanics of sport and exercise. Human Ki-netics: New York. 2020.

[26] Cook D. Taekwondo: a path to excellence. YMAA Publication Center, Inc.: Wolfeboro. 2017.

[27] Pons van Dijk G, Huijts M, Lodder J. Cognition Improvement in Taekwondo Novices over 40. Results from the SEKWONDO Study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2013; 5: 74.

[28] Shin Y, Yang S, Kim M, Lee L, Park B, Lee W, et al. Differences in respirogram phase between taekwondo poomsae athletes and nonathletes. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2016; 28: 2495–2500.

[29] Cho SY, Kim YI, Roh HT. Effects of taekwondo intervention on cognitive function and academic self-efficacy in children. Jour-nal of Physical Therapy Science. 2017; 29: 713–715.

[30] Petrovic K. The benefits of taekwondo training for undergradu-ate students: A phenomenological study. Societies. 2017; 7: 27.

[31] Cho IR, Park HJ, Lee TK. The influence of taekwondo training on school-life adaptation and exercise value in the United States. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation. 2018; 14: 213–218.

[32] Januário MS, Figueiredo LS, Portes LL, Benda RN. Effects of Self-Controlled Knowledge of Results on Learning a Taek-wondo Serial Skill. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 2019; 126: 1178–1194.

[33] Jung S, Park J, Johnson J. Training effects of Dahn Taekwondo’s Spondylitis Improvement Program on ankylosing spondylitis: a case study. Physical Activity Review. 2019; 7: 219–233.

[34] Yang J, Lim T, Kwon O, Han H. Structural relationship among resilience, psychological skills and performance of taekwondo sparring athletes. Archives of Budo. 2019; 15: 45–56.

[35] Kang J, Park J, Johnson JA. Comparison of Isokinetic Muscle Function and Anaerobic Exercise Capacity in the Knee Accord-ing to Kukki Taekwondo Training Type. Physical Activity Re-view. 2021; 9: 40–55.

[36] Kim Y. The effect of regular Taekwondo exercise on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and Stroop test in undergraduate stu-dent. Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry. 2015; 19: 73–79.

[37] Fong SSM, Ng GYF. Does Taekwondo training improve physi-cal fitness? Physical Therapy in Sport. 2011; 12: 100–106.

[38] Peterson S. The secret of fascia in martial arts. Fascia in Sport and Movement. 2015: 153–160.

[39] Chiodo S, Tessitore A, Cortis C, Lupo C, Ammendolia A, Iona T, et al. Effects of official Taekwondo competitions on all-out performances of elite athletes. Journal of Strength and Condi-tioning Research. 2011; 25: 334–339.

[40] Estevan I, Falco C, Elvira JLL, Vera-García FJ. Trunk and lower limb muscle activation in linear, circular and spin back kicks. Archives of Budo. 2015; 11: 243–250.

[41] Capranica L, Condello G, Tornello F, Iona T, Chiodo S, Valen-zano A, et al. Salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol, and anx-iety during a youth taekwondo championship: an observational study. Medicine. 2017; 96: e7272.

[42] Chung P, Ng G. Taekwondo training improves the neuromotor excitability and reaction of large and small muscles. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2012; 13: 163–169.

[43] Na C-M, Lee Y-H. Taekwondo Demonstrations Seen in the Per-spective of Open Demonstrations: Focusing on the period from the emancipation until the 1960’s. The Journal of the Conver-gence on Culture Technology. 2018; 4: 263–273.