Examining Impulse-Variability in Kicking

• Published in: Motor control Vol. 20; no. 3; p. 222
• Main Authors: Chappell, Andrew, Molina, Sergio L, McKibben, Jonathon, Stodden, David F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Exercise - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1087-1640
• DOI: 10.1123/mc.2014-0062

This study examined variability in kicking speed and spatial accuracy to test the impulse-variability theory prediction of an inverted-U function and the speed-accuracy trade-off. Twenty-eight 18- to 25-year-old adults kicked a playground ball at various percentages (50-100%) of their maximum speed at a wall target. Speed variability and spatial error were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with built-in polynomial contrasts. Results indicated a significant inverse linear trajectory for speed variability (p < .001, η2= .345) where 50% and 60% maximum speed had significantly higher variability than the 100% condition. A significant quadratic fit was found for spatial error scores of mean radial error (p < .0001, η2 = .474) and subject-centroid radial error (p < .0001, η2 = .453). Findings suggest variability and accuracy of multijoint, ballistic skill performance may not follow the general principles of impulse-variability theory or the speed-accuracy trade-off.