Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the locomotory floor patterns for the competitors is the All Japan Kendo Championships.
By using a direct linear transformation method, it was possible to depict a trace of the locomotion distance and speed for the competiors in the match area. It was also possible to determine exact locomotor movement of offensive players as they scored an effective hit (YUKO DATOTSU).
The results were as follows:
1. The Kendo players tended to use the central part of the match area rather than the corners or sides. This tendency was more conspicuous in more highly skilled players.
2. The mean and standard deviation of the movement speeds in all matches were 1.134-0.12m/sec. Almost 71.7% of the time in matches was characterized by locomotion of less than 1 m/sec.
3. Irrespective of gender, total distance travelled during a match of high skill level players was shorter than that during a match of lower skill level players. In general, female used longer locomotion floor patterns than males.
4. The locations in the match area where the YUKO DATOTSU points are scored tended to be in the central portions of the area, while the locations forfinish-up posture (ZANSHIN) tended to be shown in the outer area.
5. The distance travelled after making a YUKO DATOTSU was remarkably longer than that travelled before making the hit. This tendency was more conspicuous in forehead hit (MEN-WAZA) than in forearm hit (KOTE-WAZA).
