Presently, coaches and researchers need to have a better comprehension of the kinesiological parameters that should be an important tool to support teaching methodologies and to improve skills performance in sports. The aim of this study was to (i) identify the kinematic and neuromuscular control patterns of the front kick (maegeri) to a fixed target performed by 14 experienced karate practitioners, and (ii) compare it with the execution of 16 participants without any karate experience, allowing the use of those references in the analysis of the training and learning process. Results showed that the kinematic and neuromuscular activity during the kick performance occurs within 600 ms. Muscle activity and kinematic analysis demonstrated a sequence of activation bracing a proximal-to-distal direction, with the muscles presenting two distinct periods of activity (1, 2), where the karateka group has a greater intensity of activation -root mean square (RMS) and electromyography (EMG) peak -in the first period on Rectus Femoris (RF1) and Vastus Lateralis (VL1) and a lower duration of co-contraction in both periods on Rectus Femoris-Biceps Femoris and Vastus Lateralis-Biceps Femoris (RF-BF; VL-BF). In the skill performance, the hip flexion, the knee extension and the ankle plantar flexion movements were executed with smaller difference in the range of action (ROA) in the karateka group, reflecting different positions of the segments. In conclusion, it was observed a general kinesiological pattern, which was similar in karateka and non-karateka practitioners. However, in the karateka group, the training induces a specialization in the muscle activity reflected in EMG and kinematic data, which leads to a better ballistic performance in the execution of the maegeri kick, associated with a maximum speed of the distal segments, reached closer to the impact moment, possibly representing more power in the contact.Palabras clave: Kinesiology; electromyography; motor control; martial arts; combat sports. Caracterización de los patrones cinesiológicos de la patada frontal, maegeri, en practicantes expertos de kárate y en sujetos no practicantes ResumenActualmente, los entrenadores e investigadores necesitan comprender bien los parámetros cinesiológicos del movimiento ya que son una herramienta importante de soporte de las metodologías de entrenamiento y enseñanza, y para mejorar el rendimiento de los gestos motores. El objetivo de este estudio fue (i) identificar los patrones cinemáticos y del control neuromuscular de ejecución de la patada frontal (maegeri) en un objetivo fijo, realizada por 14 karatecas cinturón negro, (ii) y comparar con la ejecución del mismo gesto técnico realizada por 16 participantes sin práctica o experiencia en kárate, siendo posible el uso de esos datos en análisis Caracterização dos padrões cinesiológicos do pontapé frontal, maegeri, em karatecas expertos e indivíduos não praticantes ResumoActualmente, treinadores e investigadores necessitam de compreender bem os parâmetros cinesiológicos do m...

<p>The present essay, with theoretic nature, assumes as an object of study the exhibition of the fundamental guidelines, on a didactic model, of the initiation to combat sports. For that, the contributions of several different authors were analyzed, who, from different points of view, consider that the initiation to combat sports does not imply a specific knowledge on any of the subjects that compose them, but their integrated and cross-curricular treatment. These alternative conceptions decreases the importance of the specific technical models, through the strengthening of the common elements of the combat sports, highlighting what is usually called “fighting knowledge”; that is, the capacity that allows the fighter to find solutions for the different situations that take place during a fight.</p>

<p>In this panel, five experts present their personal experiences in martial arts and combat sports (MA&amp;CS) research. These experiences represent the two classic approaches to our studies: the quantitative and the qualitative. Above all, the panel aims to foster debate and reflection on the complementarity of these methods when trying to embrace the complexity of MA&amp;CS.</p>

ResumenEl objetivo de este trabajo es definir los principios y contenidos técnico-tácticos que caracterizan el "saber luchar" en el ámbito de las artes marciales y deportes de combate entendidos en su sentido global. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, buscamos detectar los límites práxicos del conjunto de las diferentes disciplinas de las artes marciales y deportes de combate a través del análisis de puntos de convergencia que puedan conferirles consistencia como grupo de prácticas, y a partir de los cuales resulte posible desarrollar un proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje coherente. Los principios y contenidos que consideramos desde esta perspectiva integrada establecen las posibilidades de acción independientemente de los condicionantes técnicos institucionalizados por las diferentes modalidades de combate. Sobre la base de la "estructura técnico-táctica del saber luchar", se propone desarrollar el "saber luchar" enfatizando la importancia de incidir sobre la "intención táctica" de los aprendices. La distribución y categorización de las acciones luctatorias que presentamos busca ofrecer herramientas y criterios para ayudar en el proceso de iniciación a las artes marciales y deportes de combate. Palabras clave: Artes marciales; deportes de combate; saber luchar; enseñanza-aprendizaje. "Fighting knowledge" characterization and development: contents of an integrated model for teaching martial arts and combat sports AbstractThis paper aims to define the principles and technicaltactical contents that characterize the global "fighting knowledge" referring to martial arts and combat sports. From a methodological point of view, we seek to identify the praxical limits of the different martial arts and combat sports disciplines, through the analysis of the convergence points, which can provide consistency as a group of practices, and from where is possible to develop a teaching process. The principles and contents considered in this integrated perspective establish the possibilities of action, independently from institutionalized technical abilities in each combat sport. From the "fighting knowledge technical-tactical structure" we propose the development of the "fighting knowledge" and we emphasize the importance of arising the "tactical intention" of the students. The distribution and categorization of the "fighting actions" presented, try to offer tools and criteria for the martial arts and combat sports initiation process.Keywords: Martial arts; combat sports; fighting knowledge, teaching-learning. Caraterização e desenvolvimento do "saber lutar": conteúdos de um modelo integrado para o ensino das artes marciais e dos desportos de combate ResumoO objetivo deste trabalho é definir os princípios e conteúdos técnico-táticos que caraterizam o "saber lutar" no âmbito das artes marciais e desportos de combate entendidos no seu sentido global. Do ponto de vista metodológico, procuramos detetar os limites práxicos do conjunto das diferentes disciplinas das artes marciais e desportos de combate através da análise de pontos d...

Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special recognition; particularly important is knowledge about martial arts. The sources of this practical knowledge are especially high-ranking masters. The scientific problem raised here involves the issue of high-ranking martial arts teachers taking trips for their own studies (to acquire knowledge and skills) and teaching others. Some of the questions addressed include how often the trips occur (single, sporadic, or multiple, regular), what their effects are, and what their meaning is—in the opinion of these experts. The “Martial Arts Tourism” questionnaire was addressed to N = 12 people, masters/teachers of high-rank in martial arts (level 7–10 dan/toan) who live and teach in Europe and the USA, but come from Europe. They are the holders of the highest degrees in Chinese, Japanese and Korean styles. Further questions were asked through direct correspondence. The collected statements were usedby means of qualitative analysis—as in the method of ‘expert courts’/’competent judges’. The respondents in most cases undertook trips from Europe to East Asia for their own learning. They teach themselves mainly in their own countries and in Europe. Stays rarely lasted over two weeks. The respondents are convinced of the legitimacy of this type of trip, and believe that the trips are very helpful on the way to mastery. None of the respondents mentioned the material forms of cultural heritage pertaining to martial arts as motives for the trips. Therefore, the ability to visit historic places is a marginal concern. The trips were directly linked to a career path and self-improvement in martial arts, learning or teaching.