Diferencias en el salto vertical y la velocidad de patada mae-geri entre karatekas internacionales y nacionales

Abstract

<p><strong><em>Aim</em></strong><strong>: </strong>Lower limb explosive strength and mae-geri kicking velocity are fundamental in karate competition; although it is unclear whether these variables could differentiate the high-level athletes. The objective of this research is to analyze the differences in the mae-geri kicking velocity and the counter-movement jump (CMJ) between a group of international top level karateka and another group of national-level karateka.</p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><strong>: </strong>Thirteen international-level karateka and eleven national-level karateka participated in the study. After a standard warm-up, CMJ height (in cm) and mae-geri kicking velocity (in m/s) was measured using an IR-platform and a high-speed camera, respectively.</p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong><strong>: </strong>Proceeding with MANCOVA to analyze the differences between groups controlling the effect of age, the results show that the international-level karateka demonstrated significantly higher levels of CMJ than national-level competitors (+22.1%, F = 9.47, p = 0.006, η² = 0.311). There were no significant differences between groups in the mae-geri kicking velocity (+5,7%, F=0.80; <em>p</em>=0.38; η²=0.03).</p><p><strong><em>Conclusion</em></strong><strong>: </strong>Our data shows, first, the importance of CMJ assessment as a tool to detect talent in karate and, second, that to achieve international-level in karate it may be important to increase CMJ levels to values ​​similar to those offered here.</p>