Journal of Physical Education and Sport ® (JPES), Vol.20 (6), Art 479, pp. 3553 - 3559, 2020 online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES Original Article Development of a reliable and valid kata performance analysis template DUSANA AUGUSTOVICOVA 1, JAROSLAVA ARGAJOVA 2, LUBOS RUPCIK 3, EDWARD THOMSON 4 1,3, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Comenius University, Bratislava, SLOVAKIA 2Sport School Karate, Prievidza, SLOVAKIA 4Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UNITED KINGDOM Published online: December 30, 2020 (Accepted for publication: December 15, 2020) DOI:10.7752/jpes.2020.06479 Abstract With the new kata evaluation procedure, examination of the underpinning features of successful kata performance appears warranted.The purposeof the study was to createa valid and reliable analysis template for the assessment of the movement characteristics of competitive kata.Following the creation, and scrutiny, of action variables and operational definitions, three observers were provided with the operational definitions of the performance indicators, example kata clips and instructions detailing the method of ‘tagging’ using a computerized analysis software.Intra- and inter-rater reliability assessment and median sign tests, and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient were conducted. There were no significant differences (p ˃ 0.05) between the observer’s and analyst’s test-retest observations for all the performance indicators. The intra-rater reliability was found to be “almost perfect” in all raters (LA K = 0.99 [95% CI: 0.98-0.99]; PA K = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.93-0.95]; KR K = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.93-0.95]) and the inter-rater Kappa coefficients were moderate (K = 0.55 ± 0.05). This study has demonstrated that a novel performance analysis template yields reliable observations of the key movements during kataand the procedures couldtherefore be used to objectively appraise features of successfulperformance. Key words: karate, technique, evaluation, difficulty, judging Introduction After the announcement that karate will be a part of Summer Olympic Games in 2021(International Olympic Committee, 2017), there has been an increase in the number of competitors registered in top-level karate tournaments(WKF News Center, 2018). The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the international governing body for Olympic style of karate. WKF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and consist of more than 150 National Federations. The WKF World Karate Championships feature two events, kumite (combat with a real opponent) and kata (simulated combat with an imaginary opponent). The word Kata means literally "form" and represents a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements made.Traditional karate kata are performed at the competition as a specified series of moves such as strikes, blocks, stepping, kicks, and turning, while trying to accomplish perfect techniQue.It must adhere to the traditional values and principles and also be realistic in fighting terms demonstrating strength, power, and speed, as well as grace, rhythm and balance (WKF, 2019).The outcome of kata contests is determined using a subjective judging process, which is not typical only for combat sports.From 2000 to 2018, there was a repêchage elimination system used in kata competition. After the performance of a pair of competitors, the judges subjectively determined the winner of the match by raising blue or red flag. The WKF sought to reduce the subjectivity of the assessment by modifying the rules and introducing a point scoring system of competition in 2019 with twocrucial criteria (Table 1).In new karate kata competition procedure scores are given by panel of seven judges and the computer software eliminates the two highest and two lowest scores for both criteria; the total score is calculated following a breakdown of 70% for technical performance and 30% for athletic performance. Table 1 Criteria of competitive kata evaluation () Kata Performance breakdown (factors) 1.Technical performance a) Stances 70 % b) TechniQues c) Transitional movements d) Timing e) Correct breathing f) Focus (KIME) g) Conformance: Consistence in the performance of the KIHON of the style (Ryu-ha) in the kata 2.Athletic performance a) Strength 30 % b) Speed c) Balance --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3553 Corresponding Author: DUSANA AUGUSTOVICOVA, E-mail: [email protected] DUSANA AUGUSTOVICOVA, JAROSLAVA ARGAJOVA, LUBOS RUPCIK , EDWARD THOMSON --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The duration of the individual kata performances is varying as well as technical composition whose difficulty is not well explained in the rule book, or handbook for coaches. In an effort to gain an advantage over opponents, the competitors choose katas which contain more number of technically challenging techniQues, but the performances of kata are currently assessed by judges, according to the established dogma. To more effectively differentiate the kata in terms of the difficulty of the performances, an objective evaluation of the sport regarding the technical content and estimated energy cost would seem timely. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information describing the relative importance of the constituent features underpinning successful kata scores reinforcing the need for an objective Quantification of kata performance. The WKF official competitions kata list includes 102 katas of the most expanded karate styles. ConseQuently, the same kata practiced by different competitors would appear almost identical in "choreography" and techniQues applied, though the rules do not prescribe a mandatory duration for kata performances, nor speed of techniQue(s). The difficulty of the kata performance (stances, transitional movement, etc.) is not well described in the rules yet and so the ability to Quantify the movements could enhance understanding of performance. The difficulty of the kata performance (techniQues, transitional movement, stances, etc.) is not very well described in the WKF Competition Rules yet and so the ability to Quantify the movements could enhance understanding of kata performance. Performance analysis is common in sport games research, including volleyball, rugby (Vaz, Mouchet, Carreras, & Morente, 2011) soccer (Castellano, Blanco-Villaseñor, & Álvarez, 2011), and also martial arts such as boxing (El Ashker, 2011), taekwondo (Bridge, Jones, & Drust, 2011; Haddad, 2014), kickboxing (Ouergui et al., 2014), and judo (Miarka, Fukuda, Del Vecchio, & Franchini, 2016). In these sports, expert practitioners and scientists have established relevant performance indicators and created reliable templates for video analysis(Hughes et al., 2012; Thomson, Lamb, & Nicholas, 2013).Studies covering the analysis of kata performance have focused upon the physical response(s)during competition(Arriaza & Leyes, 2005)and training sessions with maximal effort(Doria et al., 2009; Milanez, Vinicius, Dantas, Destro, & Araujo, 2012). However, those studies did not determine the content of kata thatproduce the physical responses and so developing a reliable tool for such analysis that could be usedby a range of individuals involved in the sport (e.g. analysts, coaches, judges), appears necessary. This tool should include number and type of performed techniQues. Current sources describe katas in a traditional way: used techniQues, their seQuence and their application in a real fight. Further clarification of the kata performance may contribute to the distribution of katas to individual age categories according to the technical difficulty, discernthe difficulty of particular kata and reveal the salient features underpinning success. Such measures may improve the kata evaluation system, secure Adherence preferable to the long-term athlete development model in terms of multilateral development and conseQuently prevent early specialisation, which causes a number of issues such as premature drop-out and unnecessary overuse injuries(Augustovicova, Dusana, Stefanovsky & Argajova, 2019).Therefore, the aim of this study was to devise a kata performance analysis system for the assessment of the movement characteristics of competition and assess its reliability using analysts of varying experience of the sport and performance analysis methods. Methods The Development of a Kata Analysis Template In the context of this study, performance was scrutinised visually during post-competition video analysis of the kata known as “Anan”. The kata was performed by the World champion at the WKF Championships 2016 during the final match. The video of the final match was available online, so no informed consent was needed and the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia (reference number 4/2019). The template was developed by three karate experts, the senior author (coach with an international license, member of Technical Commission of European Karate Federation - LA) and two coaches (coach A:>30 years of experience; coach B: >20 years of experience). All individuals were asked to review a list of techniQues(initially created by LA)and provide their opinions as to whether the variables and categories would allow the collection of objective data. Following discussion and written feedback, the adapted