## 5 Patents  
The basic idea of the presented testing approach lies in the assumption that kinematic parameters will change due to different levels of technical complexity. That is to say, the inclusion of a larger number of body segments will influence acceleration and velocity, i.e., the RP performance. Until now, research provided enough evidence to assume that the involvement of a specific task or a target [10; 11; 12; 41] may affect the parameters of interest as well. From a biomechanical point of view, the complexity increases from the RPNH to the RPSMR, and is followed by the initial stance. With insightful sensor placement, the proposed system is reliable, ergonomic, optimal and easy to use in a realistic environment. Tests were performed in accordance with several requirements and two starting positions. A static position implies that the athlete stood still, with their feet firmly on the floor in one out of the two initial stances. The athlete was free to choose the distance and take in the starting position when they felt ready. However, once settled, the athlete should not make any additional movement besides the one defined by test. The dynamic position implies that the athlete taking in fudo-dachi is free to move in a manner characteristic of a sport's combat. Three consecutive punches are performed in one trial. The reason for this lies in the athlete's necessity to adapt in the shortest time. As a consequence, fighters often perform continuous and time-limited actions consisting of one or more punches [5]. The trial is regarded as correct if all three punches meet the scoring criteria. It is probable that some of the performed techniques will be not as good as they could be. It is, however, important to take them into account, because they speak in favour of a fighter's ability to make the right choices and execute efficient technique with the fighting constrains. The proposed tests are:RPNH (reverse punch, no hip included): Zenkutsu-dachi is the initial stance adopted in the first test. ZD requires straightening the rear leg and positioning both hips 90 degrees relative to the stance direction. This particular positioning of the hips is known as a front position. This kind of set-up suspends the lower part of the kinetic chain from participating in and influencing the punch. The left arm rests alongside and next to the body in order to prevent any additional movement coordinating the opposite arm, which might affect the acceleration of the punch. The elbow of the right arm is flexed at an angle of 90 degrees and rests on the body. The punch is executed in the air. 2. RPH (reverse punch, hip included): In the remaining test modalities, the initial stance is fudo-dachi. In FD, both legs are flexed at the knee joint, while the hips are positioned at an angle relative to the stance direction (in karate terminology, this is referred to as an _open position of hips_). Both arms are in a position of readiness to fight (i.e., _guard position_). The particular set-up allows for the inclusion of the entire kinetic chain in the punch execution. RPH implies that an athlete performs RP including hip rotation, but retaining a static position. The punch is executed in the air. 3. RPSM (reverse punch in motion): In the third test, RP is performed in motion. The motion adopted is the common pattern motion combined with the reverse punch [5]. It consists of a front leg sliding forward during the punch and sliding back after the punch has been executed. In this way, the path of the punch execution is longer. The punch is executed in the air and there is no target or a marker defining the distance. 4. RPSMO (reverse punch in motion against an opponent): This test builds on the previously adopted conditions, static position and sliding motion, but involves an opponent as a target. This requires the athlete to adjust the distance in relation to the target and make controlled contact with the opponent's body. The opponent stands still in FD, in a position of readiness to fight.