Author(s): YU, D., Institution: BEIJING RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SPORTS SCIENCE, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 2787

INTRODUCTION:
Martial arts routines (also knowns as ‘Wushu Taolu’) are a form of martial arts performance consisting of prescribed sequences of movements. These routines involve multiple jumps and landings performed in both double-leg and single-leg positions. Strong lower-body strength and explosive power are crucial for enhancing athletic performance, with existing research confirming significant correlations between lower limb strength and explosive power in sports such as soccer and volleyball [1,2]. Countermovement jump (CMJ) is a recognized testing movement for dynamic lower limb power and strength. Bilateral asymmetry in knee joint muscle strength is typically associated with higher injury risks, which is correlated with abnormal H:Q ratio (hamstring: quadricep ratio). The studies on Martial arts routine athletes remain scarce. This research aims to analyze lower limb asymmetry in Martial arts routine athletes and explore the relationship between isometric muscle strength and lower-body explosive power.
METHODS:
Twelve female Wushu Taolu athletes (Age 17.5±2.7 years, Height 161±5.7 m, Weight 53.7±5 kg, Training History 7.7±2.3 years) participated in this study. Data were collected by a dynamometer (Isomed 2000, Germany) and force plate (BTS, Italy,). Athletes were required to wear Wushu shoes when performing jump tests for normalization and ensure adequate rests between tests to avoid fatigue. Each athletes performed double-leg CMJ with arm-locked (CMJ), double leg CMJ with arm swing (CMJ-AS) and left and right single leg CMJ with arm-locked (L-CMJ, R-CMJ, respectively) three times. The peak value was used for analysis. Isokinetic muscle strength of knee extension and flexion in a concentric-concentric mode at speeds of 60 deg/s and 180 deg/s were performed. CMJ height, isokinetic peak torque (PT) modified by body weight, and average power were analyzed in SPSS 26.0. Paired t test was utilized to compare the interlimb asymmetry of CMJ and isokinetic strength. Pearson correlation test was utilized to analyze the relationship of isokinetic lower limb strength and jumping tests, Significant difference was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS:
Significant correlation was found between CMJ-AS and L-CMJ (r=0.938, p<0.01), R-CMJ (r=0.966, p<0.01) and left knee extension PT (r=0.534, p<0.05). CMJ is correlated with L- CMJ (r=0.925, p<0.01), R-CMJ (r=0.906, p<0.01), and CMJ-AS (r=0.941, p<0.01). The L-leg H:Q ratio shows strong correlation with left extension PT (r=-0.682, p<0.01), right extension average power (r=-0.699, p<0.01), and moderate correlation with L-CMJ (r=-0.568, p<0.05), L-leg extension average power (r=-0.516, p<0.05), and CMJ (r=-0.533, p<0.05). Paired sample t test showed no significant differences were found between interlimb asymmetry (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
No lower limb asymmetry is present in martial arts routine athletes. The CMJ with arm swing correlates with lower limb muscle strength and may predict isokinetic muscle strenth.