Wushu Sanda: Color bias, home advantage and motor actions analysis in female matches’ from the 13th World Championships

Abstract

<p><em>Introduction:</em> Wushu Sanda is a mixed orientation combat sport in which athletes duel wearing red or black clothes. Despite its popularity, the knowledge about its technical and psychophysiological aspects are scarce. <em>Objective:</em><strong> </strong>The aim of this study was to quantify the motor actions and the color bias and home advantage existence possibility in female matches from the 13^th World Wushu Championships, held in Indonesia, 2015. <em>Material and methods:</em> In an observational study were analyzed 46 matches involving 55 athletes. Each match was analyzed twice, and were considered 22 possible techniques (5 types of punches, 5 types of kicks and 12 different throws). All the motor actions were registered for each athlete, aside of match outcome, clothing color and continent of origin. <em>Results:</em> From all applied motor actions, 48.2% were punches, 46.9% were kicks and 4.8% were throws. Athletes applied 11±8.67 punches, 10.7±5.63 kicks and 1.1±1.6 throws per round. The number of throwing techniques applied on the first and second rounds was higher in winners (F=10.24, <em>p</em>=0.002 and F=7.82, <em>p</em>=0.006 respectively). No differences were found in motor behavior among distinct competitive phases (F(3;88)=1.87; <em>p</em>=0.140; η²_p=0.06). Home advantage was observed supporting Asian athletes<strong> </strong>(χ²=10.12, <em>p</em>=0.038). Color bias was observed supporting athletes who wore red (χ²=8.52, <em>p</em>=0.004), which won a higher number of matches (65%). <em>Conclusions:</em> To the detriment of grappling actions (throws), female international level Wushu Sanda athletes predominantly used striking motor actions (punches and kicks). Winners applied a higher number of throws than losers. Home advantage was observed supporting Asian athletes. Color bias was observed supporting female athletes who wore red.</p>