The Effect of Karate Exercises (Kata and Kihun) on Children's Dynamic Balance

Dynamic balance is a crucial variable in lower limb maneuvering in different age groups and different sports, and is a framework for other movements in adulthood. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of basic karate exercises on children's dynamic balance.

The sample size consisted of 30 boys aged 6 to 12 years (8.7 ± 1.47) without any experience in karate practice, which was purposefully selected from the students in the city of Sedeh, that they were matched into two experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups after taking the balance pre-test (5-line star test). The experimental group performed basic karate exercises at the level of the yellow belt for four weeks (3 sessions of 90 minutes), and the control group performed, physical training exercises and school games. The post-test was taken at the end of the training session.

Mixed analysis of variance showed that the main effect of time (p=0.001) and group (p= 0.048) was significant. The results of paired t-test showed there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores in the experimental group (P= 0.001). Also, the independent t-test showed experimental group compared to the control was a higher score in the post-test (p=0.01).

Based on the research findings, it can be suggested that physical education instructors and teachers can use it to improve the dynamic balance in their students due to the ease of performing karate exercises and no need for special facilities.