Correlation of different factors of balance and the quality of realization of movement techniques in aikido

Background & Study Aim: Balance is the ability of maintaining the body in a “balanced” posture, i.e. in a state of equilibrium. The goal of this study was the relation of three factors of balance as the possible predictors of successful movement aikido techniques based on the isolated factors of balance. Material & Methods: The sample comprised 58 recreational athletes, aged 25 ±3 years (36 males, 22 females). Tests: static balance without visual control (standing on one leg with eyes closed); static balance with visual control (subject stood on one leg longitudinally on a balance bench with his/her eyes being open); dynamic balance with visual control (comprised walking on a balance beam). The tests were directed to the motoric space for establishing different factors of balance. The aikido quality of technical performance (QTP) was evaluated by a judge committee with comprised three members, black belt (1st dan), that were graded from 5 to 10 (QTP Index). Results: Multiple regression analysis showed the existence of a statistically significant correlation of the dynamic balance and the static balance with eyes open. Correlational analysis showed a significant correlation with all three tests with the grade of the technique of movement. Conclusions: Specific significance of this paper is the fact that there is a possibility to predict the quality of realization of movement techniques in aikido based on the results obtained by testing the three factors of balance.