Sex differences in utilizing effective mass among taekwon-do athletes performing turning and side kick

Abstract

The gender type of fighters and the technique of movement may have a significant impact on the level of effectiveness of sporting rivalry, yet their significance may differ depending on a multitude of factors. Hence, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of the effective mass and foot acceleration on the force of the turning kick and the side kick depending on the gender type of competitors represented. Material and Methods: The research was participated in by nine practitioners of taekwon-do, four men and five women of a minimum age of 18, all of whom have a black belt. They executed a series of kicks on a tensometric platform known as AMTI, model MC12-2K, series 2000 mounted on a stable construction and a padded training target in order to protect the fighters from injury. The data relating to the acceleration was acquired by means of installing a wireless sensor IMU Ultium by the firm Noraxon near the foot, which is synchronized with the tensometric platform registering the force of the blow. Results: The registered differences between the force pressure in the analysed kicks (turning kick F=84.14; p<0.001) (side kick F=46.62; p<0.001), while also the lack of statistical significance between the effective mass in the case of the turning kick (H=2.80; p=0.094) and the side kick (H=0.02; p=0.879) between men and women. By comparison with men, a strong correlation was noted amongst women between the effective mass and pressure force (r=0.79; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our research reveals that there is a lack of significant differences between women and men in terms of the effective mass acquired in the blows administered, both in the case of turning kicks and side kicks. Nevertheless, due to the lower mass of women that is determined genetically, this factor will always reduce the value of the force of kick acquired. Interdependency of the effective mass and foot acceleration exists depending on the gender type represented while executing a turning kick. However, the execution of the side kick reveals a similar interdependency between these indicators both in the cases of women and men.