Lower Limb Biomechanics of the Roundhouse Kick in Elite and Youth Taekwondo Athletes Using FPCA

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Taekwondo Roundhouse Kick Biomechanics

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07307378

USM/JEPeM/KK/25030312

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to understand how the lower limbs (hip, knee, and ankle) function during a taekwondo roundhouse kick. Elite and youth taekwondo athletes will be compared to identify movement and muscle-activation patterns related to kicking performance. Participants will attend one testing session at Ludong University, China. During the session, participants will complete a standardized warm-up and then perform a series of roundhouse kicks. Body movement will be recorded using motion-analysis equipment, and muscle activity will be recorded using surface electromyography (EMG) sensors placed on the skin. These recordings will be used to examine how joint motion and muscle activation change over the kicking movement. The study is expected to involve minimal risk, similar to routine sports testing. Possible discomforts include temporary muscle fatigue or mild soreness. Participants may not receive direct benefit, but the findings may inform training and injury-prevention strategies for taekwondo athletes. All collected data will be kept confidential and analyzed without personal identifiers.

Enrollment: 52 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 14 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy taekwondo athletes currently training and actively participating in taekwondo.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent (and assent with parental/guardian consent for minors, if applicable).
• Assigned to either the elite group or the youth group based on competition level and/or age category as defined in the study protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Current pain, acute injury, or musculoskeletal disorder affecting the lower limbs or trunk that could influence kicking performance.
• Any injury or illness within the past 3 months that limited full training participation.
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical condition that may make vigorous sport-specific testing unsafe.

Trial design

52 participants in 2 patient groups

Youth Taekwondo Athletes

Description:

Youth taekwondo athletes who will complete one laboratory testing session (roundhouse kick trials) for motion analysis and surface EMG. No intervention.

Elite Taekwondo Athletes

Description:

Elite taekwondo athletes who will complete one laboratory testing session (roundhouse kick trials) for motion analysis and surface EMG. No intervention.