Development, validation, and reliability of a new instrument of observation and technical evaluation in karate athletes

Authors

Filipe Ferreira, Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, PortugalFollow
Rui Miguel Silva, Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Por-tugal; Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), Melgaço, PortugalFollow
Georgian Badicu, Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of BraşovFollow
Jarosław Muracki, Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Department of Physical Culture and Health, University of Szczecin, PolandFollow
Bartłomiej Bogdański, Doctoral School, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, PolandFollow
Adam Kawczyński, Department of Biomechanics and Sport Engineering, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, PolandFollow

Abstract

The present study aims to develop and establish the reliability of the System for the Technical Assessment of Kumite (STAK) in karate. Twenty karate fighters aged between 10 and 22 years, consisting of novice and expert athletes participated in the present study. The reliability process focused on three points: i) analysis and evaluation by experts of the content of the observation instrument; ii) analysis and evaluation by expert evaluators of the athletes' performance in each of the chosen techniques; and iii) reliability of the evaluators' observations. The technical evaluation system in karate evaluated the Mawashi Geri, Ura Mawashi Geri, Kizami Zuki, and Gyaku Zuki techniques, described in the literature as the most common techniques in kumite competitions, which were adjusted to different levels of proficiency. Substantial to almost complete intra-rater reliability was observed for both expert and beginner athletes' evaluations, with ICC values ranging from 0.774 to 0.959. These values suggest that the evaluation conducted at different times did not cause significant interference in the assessment and that the estimate of this agreement is within a 95% confidence interval. Overall, the inter-observer and intra-rater reliability results suggest that the STAK evaluation process is reliable for assessing the success criteria of different techniques to help coaches in the promotions to Kyu and Dan ranks. The present study also indicates that novice athletes may require more specific and consistent evaluation criteria to improve their observation technique and refine their ability to interpret success variables in each motor action.

Recommended Citation

Ferreira F, Silva RM, Badicu G, Muracki J, Bogdanski B, Adam Kawczynski A. Development, validation, and reliability of a new instrument of observation and technical evaluation in karate athletes. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2024;16(4):Article1. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.16.4.01

Author ORCID Identifier

Rui Miguel SILVA ORCID 0000-0003-3380-864X

Georgian BADICU ORCID 0000-0003-4100-8765

Jarosław MURACKI ORCID 0000-0002-7470-1921

Bartłomiej BOGDAŃSKI ORCID 0000-0003-2632-4006

Adam KAWCZYŃSKI ORCID 0000-0001-7840-3799

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.