A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching

Background: This study aimed to develop a method to analyze the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the traditional karate Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch), focusing on the activation sequence of lower and upper extremities and trunk muscles during execution. Methods: An elite male (N = 1) karate at...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: László Csákvári, Bence Kopper, Tamás Horváth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/218
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849251791658549248
author László Csákvári
Bence Kopper
Tamás Horváth
author_facet László Csákvári
Bence Kopper
Tamás Horváth
author_sort László Csákvári
collection DOAJ
description Background: This study aimed to develop a method to analyze the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the traditional karate Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch), focusing on the activation sequence of lower and upper extremities and trunk muscles during execution. Methods: An elite male (N = 1) karate athlete (in kata) performed 20 Gyaku Tsuki punches while equipped with 16 wireless surface EMG sensors integrated with 3-axis accelerometers. The five punches with the highest forearm acceleration were selected for analysis. EMG, accelerometer, and synchronized video data were recorded and processed. Results: A novel visualization technique was developed to represent muscle activation over time, distinguishing a spectrum of 0–25–50–75–100% activation levels. Muscle activation times for arm, leg, and trunk muscles ranged from −0.31 to −0.11 s relative to punch execution, indicating rapid, coordinated muscle engagement. Conclusions: This method enables detailed analysis of muscle activation patterns in karate punches. It offers valuable insights for biomechanics researchers and practical applications for coaches aiming to enhance performance and prevent injuries through better understanding of movement dynamics.
format Article
id doaj-art-9dadc13c94124e5bba2ea2bb8562dfac
institution Kabale University
issn 2075-4663
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Sports
spelling doaj-art-9dadc13c94124e5bba2ea2bb8562dfac2025-08-20T03:56:49ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-07-0113721810.3390/sports13070218A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate PunchingLászló Csákvári0Bence Kopper1Tamás Horváth2Department of Combat Sports, Hungarian University of Sports Science, 1123 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Kinesiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, 1123 Budapest, HungaryResearch Center for Sports Physiology, Hungarian University of Sports Science, 1123 Budapest, HungaryBackground: This study aimed to develop a method to analyze the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the traditional karate Gyaku Tsuki (reverse punch), focusing on the activation sequence of lower and upper extremities and trunk muscles during execution. Methods: An elite male (N = 1) karate athlete (in kata) performed 20 Gyaku Tsuki punches while equipped with 16 wireless surface EMG sensors integrated with 3-axis accelerometers. The five punches with the highest forearm acceleration were selected for analysis. EMG, accelerometer, and synchronized video data were recorded and processed. Results: A novel visualization technique was developed to represent muscle activation over time, distinguishing a spectrum of 0–25–50–75–100% activation levels. Muscle activation times for arm, leg, and trunk muscles ranged from −0.31 to −0.11 s relative to punch execution, indicating rapid, coordinated muscle engagement. Conclusions: This method enables detailed analysis of muscle activation patterns in karate punches. It offers valuable insights for biomechanics researchers and practical applications for coaches aiming to enhance performance and prevent injuries through better understanding of movement dynamics.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/218kinematicselectromyographyaccelerationkaratereverse punch
spellingShingle László Csákvári
Bence Kopper
Tamás Horváth
A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
Sports
kinematics
electromyography
acceleration
karate
reverse punch
title A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
title_full A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
title_fullStr A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
title_full_unstemmed A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
title_short A Novel, Sport-Specific EMG-Based Method to Evaluate Movement Efficiency in Karate Punching
title_sort novel sport specific emg based method to evaluate movement efficiency in karate punching
topic kinematics
electromyography
acceleration
karate
reverse punch
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/7/218
work_keys_str_mv AT laszlocsakvari anovelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching
AT bencekopper anovelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching
AT tamashorvath anovelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching
AT laszlocsakvari novelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching
AT bencekopper novelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching
AT tamashorvath novelsportspecificemgbasedmethodtoevaluatemovementefficiencyinkaratepunching