2013, Volume 9
Influence of traditional karate training on the stability and symmetry of the load on lower limbs
Teresa Pop1, Wojciech Czarny2, Joanna Glista1, Magdalena Skrzypiec1
1Institute of Physiotherapy, Medical Department of the University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
2Department of Physical Education of the University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
Author for correspondence: Teresa Pop; Institute of Physiotherapy, Medical Department of the University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland; email: popter[at]interia.pl
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Systematic traditional karate training leads primarily to changes in the kinaesthetic system of a sportsperson. The aim of the research is the influence of traditional karate training on the stability and symmetry of the load on lower limbs.
Material and Methods: A questionnaire was used and body stability was tested with the stabilometric platform Alfa, with its biofeedback switched off. The experimental group was 64 people practicing traditional karate, consisting of 48 boys and 16 girls. The age span was 9-19 years old. The control group was 118 randomly selected people from primary school and lower secondary school, who did not declare any organized physical activity. The control group included 59 boys and 59 girls, aged 10-16 years old.
Results: Sports people practicing traditional karate showed lower values of all the tested variables than those in the control group. This proves better stability in body posture for the sports people. Two positive correlations were registered indicating the influence of the length of training on the increase in maximum bend to the left, as well as average bend X. A negative correlation was found between the length of training and the length of the path, as well as the decrease in the average speed X.
Conclusions: Karate is the right form of physical activity influencing the posture stability revealing itself in the decrease of the path length projection of the center of gravity depending on the age and training experience.
Key words: martial arts , postural balance, proprioception, psychomotor performance