Biomechanical Analysis of Taekwondo Roundhouse Kick Focused on Mechanical Energy Flow

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to clarify the mechanism of biomechanical taekwondo roundhouse kick (RHK) for producing faster kicking speed and shorter kicking time with focus on mechanical energy flow and to reconsider the RHK coaching instructions. Thirteen male taekwondo athletes participated in this study as subjects. The experiment trial consisted of RHK to a target with a preferred leg. The target height was same as the subject’s torso. We captured the 3D coordinates of the reflective markers on the body segments and the target by a motion capture system and calculated the energetics data such as the mechanical energy generation and energy flow. The following results were obtained. i) the amount of the mechanical energy generation in the first half of kicking motion was almost same among GOOD group and POOR group, ii) the larger mechanical energy was transferred by the joint force power in the second half of kicking motion for GOOD group. Taken together, our data suggest that there was difference of transmission efficiency between two groups, and that it is critical to acquire the motion technique to flow the mechanical energy to the kick leg in order to improve the timing of motion. It is also inferred that the coaching terms “kick with opponent’s less prediction” prevent the improvement of the players’ kicking technique for kicking fast and quick.