A comparative study on the kinematic and kinetic analyses of the different levels of axe kick among female taekwondo jins

Abstract

This study investigated the kinematic and kinetic differences among the different levels of taekwondo axe kick among female taekwondo jins using the Vicon 3D motion analysis system and Kistler force plates. Independent t-tests were used to detect the differences. The high-level group was designated the senior group (SG), and the low-level group was designated the junior group (JG). Kinematics data showed that SG had more pelvis rotation (p < 0.05), earlier time of the lowest attract point (p < 0.05), and higher peak value of velocity curve (p < 0.05) than JG. No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the lowest attack curve. Kinetics data showed that the peak ground reaction forces (GRF) in the vertical direction in SG were higher (p < 0.05) than those of JG; the peak force in SG was also exhibited earlier (p < 0.05) than that in JG. Therefore, differences were detected in the pelvis rotation, peak value in attack velocity, and GRF in the anterior-posterior direction between SG and JG. These factors also increased the attack velocity and range in SG.