Browsing by Author "Polak, Ewa"
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- Effect of Aging on the Lower Limb Kinematics in Karate Practitioners: Comparing Athletes and Their SenseisPublication . Branco, Marco A. C.; Brito, António Vences; Rodrigues-Ferreira, Mário André; Branco, Gonçalo A. C.; Polak, Ewa; Cynarski, Wojciech J.; Jacek, WąsikWith the life expectancy increasing, older adult population has gained the attention of many researchers. Aging is known to lead to a general decline in bodily functions, which affect the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze how the aging process affects veteran active karate practitioners, in the kinematic and temporal structure of the frontal kick. Nine black belt karate practitioners over 50 years old and 24 black belt karate practitioners, aged between 20 and 30 years old, all male, performed the frontal kick mae-geri. Results showed that knee is the structure that holds most differences between young and veterans, both for linear and for angular variables during the mae-geri performance. Statistical differences were found in linear velocity for the knee; linear acceleration of the knee, hip, and RASIS; maximum angular velocity for knee and hip; maximum angular acceleration for ankle and hip; and in the range of motion of knee. The temporal variables show differences, between groups, in maximum linear velocity, maximum linear acceleration, and maximum angular acceleration. However, no differences were found between groups for the time before contact in the maximum linear and angular acceleration, which allow us to remark both the effects of the aging process and the effect of training. This study corroborates the ability of older people to achieve benefits from sports practice, achieving higher efficiency than the younger adults in task execution, but using different motor control strategies.
- Sport injuries in Portuguese female and male karateka: a retrospective studyPublication . VencesBrito, António M.; Rodrigues-Ferreira, Mário; Castro, Maria Antonio; Polak, Ewa; Valente, Eduardo Jorge; Romero, Felix; Figueiredo, AbelBackground. Karate is a combat sport in which, as in all sports, there are risk factors that lead to injuries to its practitioners. Problem and Aim. Little is known about injuries in Portuguese karateka. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the type and incidence of injury in both female and male Portuguese karate practitioners. Material and Methods. The sample was composed of 490 karate practitioners from nine different karate styles, 105 females and 385 males. In this retrospective study a questionnaire of morbidity was applied, in which participants recorded their demographic data and injury episodes occurring in the last three sports seasons. Results. Of the full sample, 51.8% (n=254) reported one or more injuries. No statistical differences were found between the sexes. Most frequent injuries were fractures (16.1%) and trauma (15.6%) in both sexes and occurred in the lower limb (64.3% in females and 52.0% in males). The mechanism responsible for most of injuries in females were falls (12.5%), while in males it was punch actions (10.3%). Injuries were reported as moderate to severe, causing inactivity of practice of between 8 and 21 days and higher, respectively. Most injuries occurred in the preparatory period (63.6% females, males 53.2%), and mainly occurred in training (85.5% in females and 84.5% in males). Conclusions. Coaches should analyse the specificity of the gender training process to prevent the appearance of injuries, and increase the use of preventive processes, such as the use of protection or practice in place, and with safe equipment.