Comparison of indicators of dynamic balance according to the Star Excursion Balance Test method in male athletes in Kyokushinkai karate, boxing and WKF karate
Authors:   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine, Kindzer Bogdan , Nikitenko Serhii ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine, Semeryak Zoryana ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine, Maievska Sofiia ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine, Kukurudziak Ihor ,   Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberski, Ukraine
Published: February 2025

Purpose: to compare dynamic balance indicators using the Star Excursion Balance Test method in male athletes from Kyokushin karate, boxing, and WKF karate. Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Ivan Bobersky Lviv State University of Physical Culture at the Department of Fencing, Boxing, and National Martial Arts in the period November-December 2023. The collection of experimental material was attended by qualified male fighters aged 18-22 years, in the amount of 52 people, among whom there were 10 representatives of karate according to the WKF version (Masters of Sports of Ukraine - 4, candidates for Masters of Sports - 6), 23 representatives of boxing (Masters of Sports of Ukraine - 2, candidates for Masters of Sports - 6 and 15 athletes of the first sports category), 19 representatives of Kyokushinkai karate (according to the Japanese qualification belt system, holders of black belts 1-2 Dan - 11 men and 8 - qualifications not higher than 1 Kyu, according to the national qualification system, 5 Masters of Sports of Ukraine, 6 - candidates for Masters of Sports, and 8 athletes of the first sports category). Research methods: analysis of literary sources and materials from the Internet; measurement of basic anthropometric indicators of athletes (height, body weight, length of arms and legs); measurement of SEBT indicators; methods of mathematical statistics. Results: WKF karatekas have a slight advantage over Kyokushinkai karatekas in arm's length (78.8 cm vs. 76,3 cm) leg length (95,6 cm vs. 94,6 cm), and height (177,2 cm vs. 177,0 cm), and body weight (71,6 kg vs. 71,5 kg) are on average the same in both groups. WKF karatekas are slightly superior to boxers in height (177,2 cm vs. 176,8 cm), significantly in body weight (71,6 kg vs. 66,1 kg), and their arm and leg lengths are significantly greater (p<0,05) than boxers (78,8 cm vs. 74,0 cm, and 95,6 cm vs. 91,2 cm, respectively). Kyokushinkai karate athletes have a slight advantage over boxers in terms of arm and leg length in terms of anthropometric indicators, but with the same height, they are significantly (p<0,05) heavier than boxers in terms of body weight (71,6 kg versus 66,1 kg). A significant difference was found in the indicators of all SEBT positions of all four limbs in favor of Kyokushinkai karate athletes compared to WKF karate athletes. It is statistically significant (p<0,05) in positions 6, 7 of the left leg and position 7 of the right leg: there is a significant difference in favor of Kyokushinkai karate athletes in the indicators of the hands, and position 8 of the right hand differs significantly (p<0,05). Between WKF karatekas and boxers, a significant difference was found in the indicators of all positions of the left and right legs in favor of boxers, while it is statistically significant (p<0,05) in position 7 of the left and right legs. SEBT indicators of the upper extremities in boxers are also slightly higher than in WKF karatekas. An unreliable (p>0,05) advantage of Kyokushinkai style karatekas over boxers was found in most SEBT positions of the left leg (1-6 and 8), and their right leg positions are also slightly better (p>0,05) in directions 1-5. In contrast, boxers have significantly higher indicators in positions 6, 7, and 8 of the right leg. Comparison of SEBT indicators of both hands in pairs in the same positions in boxers and Kyokushinkai karatekas revealed a certain symmetry with a slight difference of 1-2 cm. Conclusions. As a result of the work, it was established: that WKF karatekas, in the presence of anthropometric advantages, showed lower SEBT dynamic balance indicators than representatives of Kyokushinkai karate and boxing; with lower anthropometric indicators, Kyokushinkai karatekas showed better dynamic balance indicators in all SEBT positions, with significantly higher results in difficult test positions 6, 7, 8 than WKF karatekas; WKF karatekas have significantly lower SEBT indicators in position 7 when performing the test with their feet than boxers and Kyokushinkai karatekas; The indicators of positions 6, 7, 8 of the boxers' supporting right leg reflect the asymmetrical influence of the specifics of their fighting stance on the indicators of SEBT dynamic balance; there is symmetry in the SEBT indicators of the upper extremities in boxers and Kyokushinkai style karatekas. The SEBT indicators are to some extent influenced by the current training system in each of the types of martial arts presented in our study.