The Repeatability of Choku-Tsuki and Oi-Tsuki in Traditional Shotokan Karate: A Morphological Three-Dimensional Analysis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to quantify the repeatability of the displacement of selected body landmarks while performing two different basic karate attacks. Seven karateka (three men, four women) with different levels of training and knowledge of karate were filmed with an optoelectronic computerized instrument (sampling rate 100 Hz) that allows the three-dimensional reconstruction of the movements of selected body landmarks. Thirteen landmarks (head, hips, upper and lower limbs) were analyzed while performing 10 repetitions each of choku-tsuki (straight punch) and oi-tsuki (lunge punch). For each karateka and punch, the average time of execution was calculated, and the standard deviations of each of the three spatial coordinates x, y, z were computed for each landmark. A total standard deviation of the single karateka and punch was also calculated. For all karateka, the execution of oi-tsuki took longer than the execution of choku-tsuki. For both punches and almost all landmarks, the largest repeatability (smallest standard deviation) was found in the vertical direction, while the smallest was found in the anteroposterior direction (direction of movement). In all karateka, oi-tsuki had a total standard deviation about 3 to 6 times larger than that measured during the performance of choku-tsuki. On average, women had a larger repeatability than men. The method employed in the current study allowed the quantitative analysis of the repeatability of two basic attacks in Shotokan karate by using a landmark based approach. The method could offer valuable help to karateka during training indicating which parts of the body do not repeat a selected movement with sufficient accuracy, thus assisting in the achievement of the most correct body form.

Active range of motion of the head and cervical spine: a three‐dimensional investigation in healthy young adults

“…In the present study, passive markers were used to individuate two planes (head-neck and shoulders). Their actual anatomical position was not critical for the analysis, even if position was standardized using welldefined anthropometric landmarks [26]. The choice of landmarks was a compromise between biomechanical modeling (the two reference planes) and anatomical considerations (marker movement relative to skin and to underlying bone structures [18,30].…”

“…The choice of landmarks was a compromise between biomechanical modeling (the two reference planes) and anatomical considerations (marker movement relative to skin and to underlying bone structures [18,30]. Indeed, for all six markers movements relative to skin were negligible [4,16,26]: not only bony prominences with a negligible subcutaneous fat layer were chosen, but also the relevant landmarks were not directly involved in head-neck motion, Similar findings have already been reported for head and mandibular motion [18,30].…”

“…The system is calibrated before data acquisition, thus providing metric data free from optical and electronic distortions. Details on the instrumentation can be found elsewhere [4,16,24,26].…”

Kinematic and electromyographic analyses of a karate punch

“…Superior anticipatory skills (Mori et al, 2002), and a faster visuoperceptual speed (Kim and Petrakis, 1998) also arise from the comparison between different skill levels. Furthermore, a comparison of techniques has also been studied (Sforza et al 2000;Gulledge and Dapena, 2008), as the force at impact (Girodet et al, 2005).…”

Sex Differences in Electromechanical Delay during a Punch Movement

“…Doria, Veicsteinas, Limonta, Maggioni, Aschieri, Eusebi, et al (2009) found that explosive strength was not different between men and women, but attributed this to low statistical power in their study. In another study (Sforza, Turci, Grassi, Fragnito, Pizzini, & Ferrario, 2000), women performed two punching techniques in a shorter time than did men. However, studies using experienced male karate athletes indicated better neuromuscular activation during complex motor skills (Cesari & Bertucco, 2008;Sbriccoli, Camomilla, Di Mario, Quinzi, Figura, & Felici, 2010), as well as superior anticipatory skills (Mori, Ohtani, & Imanaka, 2002).…”