2013, Volume 9, Issue 2

Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo



Kengo Yotani1, Hiroyuki Tamaki2, Hikari Kirimoto2, Atsumu Yuki3, Koji Kitada4, Shigeki Maesaka1, Futoshi Ogita1

1National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Kanoya, Japan
2Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
3National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Aichi, Japan
4Ishikawa National College of Technology, Ishikawa, Ishikawa, Japan


Author for correspondence: Kengo Yotani; National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Kanoya, Kanoya, Japan; email: yotani[at]nifs-k.ac.jp


Full text

Abstract

Background and Study Aim: Kendo is an example of a decision-making sport and involves rapidly alternating defensive and offensive movements of a shinai (bamboo sword). The aim of this study was response time and muscle activation patterns during two types of kendo strikes.
Material and Methods: Kendo athletes (n=7), other athletes (n=7), and sedentary participants (n=7) performed 10 “Men” strikes (target height, 1.65 m) and 10 “Kote” strikes (target height, 1.15 m). Muscle activity of the bilateral biceps brachii, bilateral triceps brachii, and right flexor carpi ulnaris muscles was recorded using electromyography (EMG).
Results: The kendo and other athletes had similar response times and shorter response times than the sedentary participants. The kendo athletes exhibited different timing of muscle activation onset between the two tasks, whereas the other athletes and sedentary participants exhibited no differences in timing. The EMG magnitude differed between kendo athletes and non-kendo subjects (other athletes and sedentary participants).
Conclusions: In decision-making sports, differences in neuromuscular control, but not in response times, are associated with athletic experience.


Key words: athleticbexperience, elbow motion, electromyogram, men and kote strikes, visual response


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Yotani K, Tamaki H, Kirimoto H et al. Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo. ARCH BUDO. 2013;9(2)

APA:

Yotani, K., Tamaki, H., Kirimoto, H., Yuki, A., Kitada, K., & Maesaka, S. et al. (2013). Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo. ARCH BUDO, 9(2)

Chicago:

Yotani, Kengo, Tamaki Hiroyuki, Kirimoto Hikari, Yuki Atsumu, Kitada Koji, Maesaka Shigeki, and Ogita Futos. 2013. "Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo". ARCH BUDO 9 (2)

Harvard:

Yotani, K., Tamaki, H., Kirimoto, H., Yuki, A., Kitada, K., Maesaka, S., and Ogita, F. (2013). Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo. ARCH BUDO, 9(2)

MLA:

Yotani, Kengo et al. "Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo." ARCH BUDO, vol. 9, no. 2, 2013

Vancouver:

Yotani K, Tamaki H, Kirimoto H et al. Response time and muscle activation patterns of the upper limbs during different strikes in kendo. ARCH BUDO 2013; 9(2)