NECK AND TRUNK KINEMATICS AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY DURING JUDO BACKWARD BREAKFALLS

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the neck and trunk angle time curves as well as electromyographic (EMG) activities during a judo backward breakfall in both experienced and novice judokas. Six experienced and four novice judokas volunteered to participate in the study. Three-dimensional kinematic and EMG data were collected while participants performed five sets of backward breakfalls at their own speed. We demonstrated neck/trunk angle time curves and muscle activation profiles during judo breakfalls. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the variables between experienced and novice judokas, which suggests that even short-term judo practice improves backward breakfall skills and may help prevent injury

KINEMATICS OF FOOT-SHANK COMPLEX IN “KENDO” AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOT ARCH HEIGHT

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate 1）the joint couple of foot-shank complex in the kendo motion and 2）the relationship between the kinematic values and the foot arch height. Seventeen experienced kendo athletes volunteered to participate in the study. We instructed the participants to perform three sets of kendo strike-thrust motion with the distance of 2.2m to the target. We obtained joint kinematic data of the foot eversion-inversion and shank rotation angles to the foot during the single support phase of the kendo motion. Our result demonstrated that the foot inversion and shank external rotation movements occur during the single stance phase in experienced kendo athletes in good health. In addition, the foot arch height –length ratio was significantly related to the total range of shank rotation to the foot

KINEMATICS OF JUDO BREAKFALL FOR OSOTO-GARI

The purpose of this study was to identify kinematic parameters of breakfall for osoto-gari that can be distinguished between the experienced and the novice judokas. Eight experienced and four novice judukas volunteered to participate in the study. The motion data of the breakfall for osoto-gari were collected with a three-dimensional motion analysis technique. Our result demonstrated that there are significant differences in the hip movement pattern between the experienced and the novice judokas (

THREE-DIMENTIONAL NECK KINEMATICS DURING BREAKFALL FOR OSOTO-GARI AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH NECK FLEXION STRENGTH IN NOVICE JUDOKAS

The objective of this study was to demonstrate three-dimensional neck kinematics during breakfall motion for osoto-gari and to elucidate its association between neck strength in novice judokas. Twenty-one novice judokas volunteered to participate in this study. The Motion data was collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis technique. We found the neck motion occurs multidirectionally during the breakfall motion. In addition, the present result showed that the peak neck angular momentum the in frontal and horizontal plane accounted for approximately 30% of the peak neck extension momentum. Finally, there was no linear relationship between the peak resultant neck angular momentum and neck flexion strength, suggesting that neck strength in the single motion plane alone may not be associated with the risk of head injuries during judo

FEAR-IN DUCED CHANGES IN BREAKFALL Kl N EMATlCS FOR OSOTO-GARI IN NOVICE JUDOKAS

Awareness of the risk and incidence of injury during the breakfall movement may lead to a perceived fear, which could be detrimental to breakfall kinematics and may even increase the risk of judo-related head injuries. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the association between the perceived fear of the breakfall movement and breakfall kinematics for osoto-gari in novice judokas. Eight experienced and 10 novice judokas volunteered to participate in this study. Motion data of the breakfall for osoto-garl was collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis technique. We found a similar trend in the joint angle curve and peak neck extension momentum for novice judokas who perceived fear of the breakfall and for those who did not. The results indicate that perceived fear of the breakfall movement may not be associated with a novice judoka's breakfall motion skill for osoto-gari

BIOMECHANICS OF JUDO BREAKFALL FOR OSOTO-GARI IN ADOLSECENT JUDOKAS

Regardless of relatively higher head injury occurrence, few studies have investigated the biomechanics of a judo breakfall technique in adolescent judokas. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate biomechanical characteristics of the breakfall technique performed by experienced adolescent judokas during the “osoto-gari” throw by comparing it with those performed by experienced adult and novice adult judokas. Motion data from the breakfall technique were collected with a three-dimensional motion analysis method. No significant differences were observed in the hip and neck movement patterns between the novice and the adolescent judokas (p > 0.05), but not between the experienced adult and adolescent judokas. This suggests that regardless of experience, the breakfall skill level of the adolescent judokas is not similar to that of adult experienced judokas

TRUNK BIOMECHANICS DURING BREAKFALL FOR OSOTO-GARI AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH JUDO-RELATED HEAD INJURY RISK IN NOVICE JUDOKAS

The incidence of head injuries in novice judo practitioners is of increasing public concern in Japan. This study investigated the correlation between trunk biomechanics and judo-related head injury risk in novice judokas with the aim of developing effective injury prevention strategies. Thirty-one novice judokas were volunteered to participate the study. Three-dimensional motion analysis of the osoto-gari breakfall was performed. A multiple regression analysis was usedto test the correlation between trunk biomechanics and possible head injury risk. We found a significant correlation between the trunk COM velocity and the peak neck angular momentum (F= 13.29, df= 3, P\u3c 0.001, r= 0.77). The result suggests that controlling the trunk COM angular velocity may play an important role in judo-related head injury prevention for novice judokas

KINEMATICS OF JUDO BACKWARD BREAKFALL: COMPARISON BETWEEN NOVICE AND EXPERIENCED JUDOKAS

This study aimed to investigate the kinematic differences in judo backward breakfall between novice and experienced judokas. Eleven experienced and 13 novice judokas volunteered to participate in the study. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected while participants performed five sets of backward breakfalls. We documented head-, neck-, trunk-, hip-, and knee-angle–time-curve profiles during judo breakfalls. The results showed significant differences in knee- and trunk-angle time curves, whereas no significant differences were found in head, neck, and hip kinematics between the novice and experienced judokas. These results suggest that motion of the lower extremity requires more attention during the learning of breakfall technique by novice judokas

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (TMS/tDCS) and Rehabilitation for Stroke and Parkinson’s

The aim of this study was to clarify and compare the efficacies of rehabilitation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), in convalescing stroke and Parkinson’s disease patients. For both types of stimuli, kinetic analysis and performance analysis of upper limb motor paralysis and gait analysis showed an increase in speed of movement, and an improvement in performance was observed. Both stimuli resulted in significant improvement compared with a sham stimulus. Change in speed of movement and performance was observed with both tDCS and cTBS, but there was not a significantly large difference between the stimuli. Improved movement due to reduction of excessive tension caused by spasticity was observed. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, gait speed and step length were increased. It is suggested that performance was improved because movement became smoother. The efficacy of tDCS and cTBS in patients with motor disorders caused by stroke or Parkinson’s disease will probably be further improved when combined with physical therapy

Trunk rotation enhances movement of the knee abduction angle while running among female collegiate middle- and long-distance runners

This cohort study aimed to i) clarify the relationship between abduction of the knee joint and trunk motion during running in the stance phase, and ii) clarify the relationship between abduction of the knee joint during running in the stance phase and the amount of trunk rotation measured in a static position. Twenty-nine female collegiate middle- and long-distance runners participated. The knee abduction angle and absolute angles to the floor were calculated using a three-dimensional motion analysis device. Static trunk rotation was calculated. Trunk rotation angle to the supporting side (r = 0.525), thigh posterior tilt angle (r = -0.510), thigh adduction angle (r = 0.417), lower leg anterior tilt angle (r = -0.483), and static trunk rotation to the supporting side (r = -0.429) were significantly correlated with knee abduction angle. Trunk rotation angle to the supporting side (ß = 0. 465), thigh adduction angle (ß = 0.374), lower leg anterior tilt angle (ß = 0.228), and static trunk rotation to the supporting side (ß = -0.256) (R2 = .556) were significantly correlated with the knee abduction angle. The increase or decrease in the knee abduction angle should consider the mutual influence of the lower limb and trunk motion