Kinematics characteristics of Seoi-Nage and reverse skill in judo

Abstract

Biomechanics is considered to be the leading science that helps to increase and reach the highest level of sports performance. Biomechanics studies and analyses motor performance within the factors that affect performance and aims to reach the most suitable biomechanical solution. Kinematics is one of the branches of biomechanics that provides a precise description of movement; kinematics is used to understand techniques of judo, which is a highly technical sport. This study aims to identify the kinematic characteristics of performing traditional Seoi- Nage and developed Seoi-Nage (reverse skill). To compare both methods, 10 athletes with a high-performance level of both skill were chosen from the Egyptian youth national team to performed both method. The data were collected using a three-dimensional coordinate setup with 4 cameras recording at the speed of 250 frames/s; motion analysis, using a semi-motion system, was used to analyse the attacking athletes performance. The obtained results allowed to identify the kinematic characteristics of both methods and differences between them (e.g., motion phase time, motion phase displacement, motion phase velocity, motion phase acceleration) that were in favour of reverse Seoi-Nage in most kinematic variables during the three phases of performance. The obtained results suggest that trainers should teach the traditional skill to young athletes first and then teach the reverse skill based on the principle of gradual transition from easy to difficult in the process of education and training. Training of high level athletes in judo on the reverse skill is performed owing to its great effectiveness during matches compared to the traditional skill. Key Words Kinematic, Seoi-Nage, Reverse skill, judo.