| The
purpose of this study was to investigate trunk and knee strength in
practitioners of hard-style martial arts. An additional objective
was to examine reaction times in these participants by measuring simple
reaction times (SRT), choice reaction times (CRT) and movement times
(MT). Thirteen high-level martial artists and twelve sedentary participants
were tested under isokinetic and isometric conditions on an isokinetic
dynamometer. Response and movement times were also measured in response
to simple and choice auditory cues. Results indicated that the martial
arts group generated a greater body-weight adjusted peak torque with
both legs at all speeds during isokinetic extension and flexion, and
in isometric extension but not flexion. In isokinetic and isometric
trunk flexion and extension, martial artists tended to have higher
peak torques than controls, but they were not significantly different
(p > 0.05). During the SRT and CRT tasks the martial artists were
no quicker in lifting their hand off a button in response to the stimulus
[reaction time (RT)] but were significantly faster in moving to press
another button [movement time (MT)]. In conclusion, the results reveal
that training in a martial art increases the strength of both the
flexors and extensors of the leg. Furthermore, they have faster movement
times to auditory stimuli. These results are consistent with the physical
aspects of the martial arts.
KEY
WORDS: Isometric, isokinetic, dynamometry, martial art, reaction.
|
