Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Performance Against a Real Target and a "Kata" in Karate

Objective: The aim of the present study is to perform a biomechanical quantitative analysis of uniform techniques performed against a real and fictitious target. Methods: The subjects of the study were karatekas(kyokushinkai), a total of 16 experienced individuals. The technical level of the experienced individuals was between first kyuand second dan. The experiments were carried out with the help of video computer equipment for movement analysis. Results: Naturally, in the real hit, at most two maxima wereobserved, while in the marking one there werea number of (more than 4) local extrema. Duringreal performance, the acceleration path is significantly longer whichleads to the need to exertmuch larger inertial forces. This is probably due to the fact that in the demonstrative performance the competitor fails to use the maximum potential of his explosive muscle forces. Conclusion: The derived characteristic for the number of extrema on the functional curves from the space-time characteristics demonstrates a stable regularity, through which the degree of sports and technical mastery and the objective differences between real and formal strikes in karate can be reliably assessed.