The factor structure of general motor fitness and karate specific biomechanical tests: Application of confirmatory factor analysis

Abstract

Multivariate approaches to predicting and understanding performance in sport are frequently recommended, however rarely implemented, to identify more comprehensively, those factor that are associated with high performance athletes and how such factors interact. The aim of this research was to understand the relationship of motor fitness and karate specific biomechanical tests utilised in karate as a model for talent identification based on confirmatory factor analysis. Twenty four karate athletes volunteered, 12 were classified as high performance athletes with black belt or higher and 12 were classified as non-high performance athletes, below green belt and these ability levels served as a classification variable. General motor fitness tests as Margaria power test, standing long jump, isometric grip strength, sit-reach flexibility, arm crank, peak aerobic power and anaerobic Wingate power test for peak power, time to peak power, mean power and power/weight were measured to reflect tests of power, force, ROM and speed. Karate specific motor fitness tests, as designed by a panel of experts (Delphi method), were tests of karate agility, power punch, speed punch, speed reaction time, balance and lower limb bilateral-abductor flexibility (angular displacement). The confirmatory factor analysis derived a four factor solution, which explained 72.1% of common variance. Tests loaded with factor 1 were predominantly tests of upper and lower body power production and were Margaria power test, arm crank, Wingate power test for peak power, time to peak power, mean power, power punch and speed punch (absolute loadings .536-.863). Tests that loaded with factor 2 (absolute loadings .570-.892) were sit-reach flexibility, bilateral-abductor flexibility, arm crank and karate specific balance. Factor 3 (absolute loadings .519-.924) loaded with standing long jump, peak aerobic power, Wingate peak power and Wingate power/weight. Factor 4 (absolute loadings .509-.882) was associated with Margaria power test, isometric grip strength with high loadings for karate agility and speed reaction time a punching ability and factor complexity was displayed. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.