2009, Volume 5
Testing motor fitness in karate
Stanisław Sterkowicz1, Emerson Franchini2
1Academy of Physical Education, Krakow, Kraków, Poland
2Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Author for correspondence: Stanisław Sterkowicz; Academy of Physical Education, Krakow, Kraków, Poland; email: wtsterko[at]cyf-kr.edu.pl
Full text
Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Evaluation of sport skills test can be very useful tool for coach practice. The aim of the present paper was: (a) to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the SPFT (b) to review the results of karate athletes who represent different weight categories, and who are at different stages of schooling; (c) to establish grading criteria of physical fitness preparation.
Material and Methods: The reseach was conducted among 219 Kyokushin karate players, whose profiles were presented as average ± SD and their main characteristics were the following: age 26.8 ± 4.67 (19 - 39) years, body mass 75.2 ± 8.35 (50 - 97) kg and body height 176.4 ± 5.67 (160 - 196) cm. The value of the BMI amounted to 24.1 ± 2.17 (17.9 - 29.4) kg/m2. All the subjects of the research had training experience of 10.5 ± 3.71 (4 - 20) years and their degree of proficiency ranged from 4th kyu to 3rd dan. The physical fitness trials proposed by Story (1989) included: hip turning speed, speed punches, flexibility, rapid kicks, agility, and evasion actions. It was supplemented by a test of local strength endurance, composing a battery of the SPFT, which was implemented by first of the authors between 1991 and 2006.
Results: SPFT is characterized by high reliability and it can be used to diagnose the physical fitness preparation and monitor the individual results of training. It discriminates accurately competitors with different sports level and it is characterized by very high accuracy, it is correlated with the test results of motor general physical fitness abilities and coordination abilities as well as it is connected with the somatic build of the athlete. The performance classification table was developed on the basis of our research.Discussion. Results obtained in SPFT were shortly discussed.
Conclusions: The collected results of our research allowed us to come to, the conclusion: The table can be applied not only to assess karate fighters, but also adepts in taekwondo, kick-boxing, ju-jitsu, hapkido or other mixed martial arts.
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Key words: karate, motor fitness, specific physical fitness tests