Research article - (2021)20, 457 - 465
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.457
Differences in Pivot Leg Kinematics and Electromyography Activation in Various Round House Kicking Heights
Wei-Gang Chang1,, Kuan-Yu Lin1, Mu-Yen Chu2, Tong-Hsien Chow3
1Department of Athletic Training and Health, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, R.O.C., Taiwan
2Department of Sports Training Science-Combats, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan, R.O.C., Taiwan
3Department of Leisure Sports & Health Management, St. John’s University, New Taipei City, R.O.C., Taiwan

Wei-Gang Chang
✉ Department of Athletic Training and Health, National Taiwan Sport University, 250, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan District, Taoyuan City 33301, Taiwan
Email: wgchang@ntsu.edu.tw
Received: 23-11-2020 -- Accepted: 24-05-2021
Published (online): 01-06-2021

ABSTRACT

The round house kick (RHK) is a common technique in taekwondo (TKD). The kicking action originates from the dynamic stability of the pivot leg. However, some knee injuries are caused by more difficult kicking strategies, such as kicks to the opponent’s head. This study analyses the effects on TKD players in the lower extremity kinematic and neuromuscular reactions from different kicking heights. This study recruited 12 TKD players (age = 20.3 ± 1.3 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.09 m, mass = 62.17 ± 9.45 kg) with no previous lower extremity ligament injuries. All athletes randomly performed 3 RHK at different heights (head, chest, and abdomen), repeating each kick 5 times. During the RHK action, the kinematics and muscle activations of the pivot leg were collected using six high-speed cameras and electromyography devices. The results found that during the RHK return period a high kicking position demonstrated larger knee valgus with the straight knee, and more hamstring activation on the pivot leg. The RHK pivot foot for TKD players encountered more risk of injury from high target kicking. The hamstring muscle played an important stabilizing role. It is recommended that sports medicine clinicians or sports coaches use this information to provide further protective injury prevention strategies.

Key words: Taekwondo, anterior cruciate ligament injury, knee valgus, co-contraction activation

Key Points
  • Head position kicking will exhibit greater knee joint instability in the pivot leg during RHK, because TKD players must change the joint range of motion to add kicking range to increase their chance to score.
  • BF and RF co-activation will promote pivot leg stability in RHK kicking, especially in the return phase, to avoid a more dangerous alignment.
  • The RHK pivot foot for TKD players encountered greater risk for injury in high target kicking. The hamstring muscle played an important stabilizing role.








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