The effects of vision training applied to kumite karate national team athletes
Mert Şaban Ergin1
, Tuğba Kuru Çolak2, Barış Çakar3, Kürşat Çağın4
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Department of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye
3Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Kocaeli̇, Türkiye
4Ophthalmologist, Çağın Eye Hospital, Kocaeli, Türkiye
Keywords: Karate, performance, reaction time, visual acuity, Visual Training
Abstract
Objective: Visual perception is essential for decision-making, movement, and reaction time in karate. This study evaluates the impact of visual training on kumite athletes.
Methods: Twenty-four national athletes representing the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Kağıtspor Team were randomly divided into two groups following an eye examination. The control group (n=11) continued with routine training, while the visual training group (n=12) engaged in additional visual training for four weeks (three sessions/per week). Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 4) assessments included the 'Nelson Reaction Test,' 'Sit & Reach Test,' and 'Snellen Test.' Independent physiotherapists and an ophthalmologist conducted evaluations. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS V26 with parametric tests (ANOVA) at a significance level (p<0.05).
Results: Pre-test averages indicated no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). Post-test results revealed significant improvements in the visual training group for the Snellen Chart (p=0.015) and the Nelson Reaction Time (p=0.009) tests, indicating faster performance in reaction times compared to the control group. No significant differences were found for the Sit & Reach test (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Visual training improved visual acuity and reaction time but did not impact flexibility in kumite karate athletes. These results suggest that visual training programs may improve specific performance aspects, such as reaction time and visual acuity, in karate and other contact sports.
Cite this article as: Ergin MS, Kuru Colak T, Cakar B, Cagin K. The effects of vision training applied to kumite karate national team athletes.Turk J Sports Med. 2025 11 24th; https://doi.org/10.47447/tjsm.0911
The approval for this study was obtained from Marmara University Clinical Research Ethics Committee, İstanbul, Türkiye (Decision no: 09.2024.611, Date: 09/07/2024.
Concept Design: MSE, TKC; Supervision/ Consultancy: TKC; Materials: MSE; Data Collection and Processing: MSE, BC, KC; Analysis and Interpretation: MSE, TKC; Literature Review: MSE, TKC; Writing: MSE, TKC; Critical Review: MSE, TKC. All authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript and discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to authorship and/or publication of the article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or publication of this article.
