The purpose of this study was to identify the difference in technique required to execute the Dipping Free Kick in soccer from the Instep Kick. Subjects were six experienced soccer players ranging from college varsity to third division professional levels. Each subject performed three successful free kicks and three maximal velocity instep kicks. Video data were analyzed for angular acceleration and angular velocity of the hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact. The joint angles of the trunk and hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact were also compared between the two types of kick. Calculated data was analyzed using a One Way Repeated Measures ANOVA and follow-up Student-Newman-Keuls tests. The statistical analysis of the angular accelerations of the hip, knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact of the free kick were not significantly different from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the angular velocity of the hip of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed no significant difference of the free kick from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the angular velocity of the knee and ankle of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed a significant difference (p<.05) for the free kick from the instep kick. The statistical analysis of the trunk angle and hip, knee and ankle angles of the kicking leg at the moment of ball contact revealed no significant difference of the free kick from the instep kick. The results indicate no consistent difference in the technique employed to complete the free kick when compared to the instep kick. Each individual used different combinations of changes from the technique used to complete the instep to complete the dipping free kick. / School of Physical Education

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Fast pushing like forms of knee extension were previously studied (van Ingen Schenau, 1994, Bobbert 1994). From these the role of mono and bi-articular muscles was established for this type of pushing like motion patterns. The way whipping like forms of knee extension are controlled is however less understood. This study investigated the impact of skill level in modulating fast forms of knee extension. The investigation was carried out by using a Taekwondo fast front kicking action, mean peak leg angular velocity 18.65 rads/s, as the subject task. A total of 40 healthy male and female participants volunteered to take part in this study. Of these, 20 were skilled martial arts athletes while the remaining 20 were unskilled. Expert and novice groups were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. A ten week intervention program aimed at increasing the skill level of participants of the expert and novice groups was conducted. The kinematic profile of the execution of a fast front kick performed under various settings of velocity, range of motion and degrees of freedom was obtained by a high speed camera. The myoelectrical activity of selected muscle units was simultaneously obtained while kicks were video recorded. Expert and novice participants were tested pre and post intervention program. Of the available kinematic variables such as segmental angular velocities, joint linear velocities and intersegmental timing and coordination, it was found that only: peak ankle linear and leg angular velocities, intersegmental timing, thigh to leg peak angular velocity ratio and a calculated performance index, have the potential to discriminate differences in skill level in this form of kicking. Pre and post intervention differences between groups were assessed from these variables. It was of interest to this study to identify the sources of these differences. To this end, an inverse dynamics analysis of the interaction between segments during the execution of a front kick was performed. It was found that the interaction between segments evolves with increases in skill level. Expert athletes utilize a i) precursor knee flexion moment to assist hip flexion moment during the initial stages of the kicking action and ii) a late hip flexion moment to assist further increases of kicking speed. These moments were absent in the execution of a front kick by novice athletes. These findings were also obtained form an optimization approach to the analysis of interactive moments during kicking. An important conclusion from these analyses is that the view of a front kick as a proximal to distal motion pattern is inadequate. Evidence from this study suggests that this action is best defined as a distal-proximal-distal motion pattern in an expert population. It then indicates that skill gains rely on the utilization of intrinsic muscle properties to assist the execution of tasks like a front kick.

Thesis (M. App. Sc.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2004. / Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of Master of Applied Science - Human Movement. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, 1963. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 84).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1967. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the MTech: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background: In terms of kicking speed the instep kicking technique is the most effective and commonly used method. Immobilization or restricted motion within a joint segment, results in adverse changes in the surrounding ligaments, tendons and muscular tissue. To improve joint mobility and thus improving flexibility, this study focused on spinal manipulation. Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effectiveness of lumbar spine and sacroiliac manipulation on the range of motion (ROM) of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints as well as the kicking speed of the subjects. Methods: Forty asymptomatic soccer players, playing for the regional Premier League team or higher, were divided into four groups of 10 each. Group 1 received lumbar spine manipulation, Group 2 received sacroiliac (SI) joint manipulation, Group 3 received combined lumbar spine and SI joint manipulation and Group 4 received the sham laser intervention (placebo/control). Pre and post warm-up and post intervention lumbar and SI joint ROM were measured using a digital inclinometer. Kicking speed was measured post warm-up and post intervention with a Speed Trac™ Speed Sport Radar. The subjects’ perception of a change in kicking speed post intervention was also recorded. SPSS version 15.0 was used to analyse the data. Results: Pre and post outcome measurements were compared using a p value of < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. Statistically significant ROM increases were noticed in left and right lumbar rotation motions post lumbar manipulative intervention. Lumbar extension, left and right lumbar rotation and SI joint extension ROM increased post combination of lumbar spine and SI joint manipulation. There VI was a significant increase in kicking speed post intervention for all three manipulative intervention groups. A significant correlation was seen between subjects’ perception of change in kicking speed post intervention and the objective results obtained. Conclusions: Lumbar spine and SI joint manipulation is an effective intervention for short-term increase in kicking speed.

The purpose of this study was to determine kinetic and kinematic characteristics of Thai Boxing Roundhouse Kicks. In order to measure the kinetic variables of peak force and impulse, a triaxial accelerometer was inserted into a kicking bag. The force data were derived from the known mass and measured acceleration of the kicking bag. Validation testing comparing applied forces to estimated forces based on accelerometers output showed this instrument provided accurate estimates of the force applied to the kicking bag (r=.99). The MacReflex motion analysis system was utilized with three cameras operating at 120 frames per second to obtain the kinematic characteristics of final linear velocity of the kicking ankle, linear velocity of the kicking ankle and knee, angular velocity of the knee, and the angular velocity of the shank and thigh projected onto the horizontal plane. The subjects were ten male Thai Boxing performers with 8 to 48 months of training experience. The kicking trials were conducted at three height levels. It was hypothesized that the peak force, impulse, and the final linear velocity of the kicking ankle at impact would be greater for the lower level of kicks as compared to the higher level of kicks. It was also hypothesized that peak force and impulse would be positively related the subjects' leg strength. For the relationship between kinetic variables and kinematic variables it was hypothesized that peak force and impulse would be positively related to the final linear velocity of the kicking ankle. In comparing the roundhouse kick at different height levels the middle level kick generated the greatest peak force and impulse, while the high level kick involved the least force and impulse. The amount of peak force and impulse were directly related to the final velocity of the ankle (r=.86, and r=.79 respectively), but they were not significantly related to the leg strength. This study found that the Thai Boxing roundhouse kick can easily generate enough force to cause neurological impairment, skull fractures, facial bone fractures, and rib fractures. These results suggest that there is a greater need for regulations protecting the competitors in Thai Boxing. / Graduation date: 1997

Soccer experts (N = 18), novices (N = 16), and children who are physically awkward (N = 18), were studied for differences in self-regulatory forethought and self-reflection processes during a soccer kicking task. The participants (age range 12--14 years) were questioned regarding goals, strategy choice, and self-efficacy, as well as self-reflection attributions and feelings of self-satisfaction as they practiced the task. Among the significant results, children who are physically awkward possessed less soccer kicking knowledge and displayed lower self-efficacy after success than experts and novices. They also set less specific goals, selected less rhythm/timing strategies following failure, and attributed less to rhythm/timing and practice following success than experts. In comparison to novices, children who are physically awkward showed no differences in goals and strategy prior to the task but in terms of strategy after failure and attributions after success they had less "I don't know" strategy answers and practice attributions. There was no significant difference among the three groups in self-satisfaction.

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