The Process of the Inexperienced Subjects Acquiring Kendo Skill

Abstract

This study has the following two aims:
I) The first is to clarify the process in which inexperienced students in a physical education class acquire the skill of “ken-tai-icchi no datotsu” (striking with the shinai and body).
II) The second is to clarify the process of acquiring “basic movement” skills by inexperienced subjects of Kendo in preparation for Kendo Club competitions.
In the physical education class, inexperienced students were taught Kendo for about three months (total 21 hours) using the Edo teaching plan. The following results were obtained;
1) “Ken-tai-icchi no datotsu” (striking with the shinai and body) times were shortened by 0.01 seconds.
2) The distance of “fumi-komi” was shortened by 3.7cm.
3) The time of “datotsu” was shortened by 0.26 seconds.
4) The lateral spreading of legs and right knee joint angle displayed during the “datotsu” movement demonstrated significant changes (p<0.01). However, the shinai angle and the acceleration did not.
In the club activity, inexperienced subjects (3 female university students) practiced Kendo about 6 months and were tested on the process of acquiring Kendo skills. The following results were obtained:
1) “Zenshin-koutai suburi” (the action of swing the shinai with forward and backward footwork) increased by 2.7 times.
2) The continuous “kote-men” attack was shortened by 0.9 seconds, while the “shikake-men” attack was shortened by 2.1 seconds. The “shikake-kote” attack was shortened by 1.1 seconds, while the “shikake-do” attack was shortened 1.1 seconds, and the “prediction-attack” was shortened by 1.9 seconds.
3) The distance of “tobi-komi” (including “ayumi-ashi”) was shortened by a maximum of 38cm and a minimum of 29cm.