KINEMATIC DIFFERENCES OF TAEKWONDO ROUNDHOUSE KICK BETWEEN THAILAND NATIONAL AND YOUTH NATIONAL ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic in taekwondo roundhouse kick of Thailand National athletes to Youth National athletes. Both groups experienced and were successful in major international competitions. The athletes were instructed to promptly perform roundhouse kick at the target with their dominant leg when the LEDs above the target were turned on. Motion analysis system captured three kicks. The Mann-Whitney U test did not reveal significant differences of response time and selected kinematic parameters of the kicking leg between the two groups. In conclusion, both groups shows similar kicking pattern; nevertheless, this study only investigated the kick in static condition. Future research should include dynamic condition

TAEKWONDO BACK KICK KINEMATICS OF ELITE AND YOUTH ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to analyze taekwondo back kick kinematics of elite and youth athletes. The athletes were instructed to perform basic back kick ats the target with their dominant leg. 3D motion analysis system was captured three back kicks at the sampling rate of 100 Hz. Response time was also recorded. The Mann-Whitney U test did not reveal significant differences of selected kinematics and temporal variables of back kick between two groups. Both athlete groups show similar kicking pattern. Peak linear velocity occurs prior to the impact. Peak kicking velocity should occur near the impact. Nevertheless, this study only investigated static simple back kick. Future research should investigate different types of back kick