POSTURAL ASSESSMENT IN KARATE ATHLETES OF VARYING SKILL LEVELS

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to identify parameters of postural balance in karate athletes that change with increasing training status. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at Vyatka State University (Kirov, Russia). Sixteen static stabilometric parameters were examined in 20 karate athletes of varying competitive levels, including Masters of Sport (n = 5) and athletes with Class I-II rankings (n = 15). Stadio metric measurements were obtained during the pre-competitive period of the annual training cycle. Results. Under conditions of visual control and deprivation, highly skilled karate athletes exhibited differences from their middle-skilled counterparts in the following parameters: postural stability (Stab, %), center of pressure
(COP) ellipse area (S95, mm2), total mechanical work (A, J), root mean square deviation of the COP in the frontal (X, mm) and sagittal (Y, mm) planes, mean velocity of COP displacement (V, mm/s), and frequency of the first spectral peak in the vertical plane (Zf1, Hz). Visual deprivation resulted in decreased postural stability, particularly in middle-skilled athletes. Conclusion. Increased athletic performance in karate is accompanied by a greater contribution of proprioception and a reduction in energy expenditure during the optimization
of postural control. These findings can be used to monitor the effectiveness of karate training.