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. 2025 Dec 17;17(1):369.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01429-3.

Postural control in top-level Para Karate athletes with visual and intellectual impairment: an observational study

Henrieta Horníková  1 , Radovan Hadža  2 , Michal Hrubý  3 , Dušana Augustovičová  1   3
Affiliations

Postural control in top-level Para Karate athletes with visual and intellectual impairment: an observational study

Henrieta Horníková et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Although the World Karate Federation (WKF) lacks a standardized test battery, Para Karate classification follows International Paralympic Committee (IPC) principles, with balance recognized as a key physical ability affecting kata performance. This study aimed to compare postural stability across categories and classes of top-level Para Karate athletes and to provide evidence supporting classification refinement.

Methods: Fifty-nine athletes competing at the 2023 World Para Karate Championship were classified into three groups: visually impaired (VI, n = 24, age 23.8 [20.6] years), intellectual impairment (II1, n = 17, 26.5 [9.7] years), and intellectual impairment with additional impairment (II2, n = 18, 28.0 [11.3] years). A 30-second bipedal stance test with eyes open was used to assess total path and area of the centre of pressure (CoP), including anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analysis.

Results: Significant group differences were observed for total CoP path (H(2) = 13.205, p < 0.001) and area (H(2) = 12.929, p = 0.002). II1 athletes demonstrated significantly lower CoP path than VI (padj=0.001), with better AP stability compared to both groups. II2 class had lower total CoP area than VI (padj<0.001). They showed the lowest area in AP direction compared to both VI and II1 (padj=0.002 and padj=0.040, respectively).

Conclusions: The 30-second balance test proved to be sensitive to between-group differences in postural control among impairment types. VI athletes exhibited greater CoP path than II1 athletes and greater CoP area than II2 athletes, highlighting the need for targeted balance training. In the AP direction, II1 athletes showed better control in path length compared to both groups, while II2 athletes outperformed them in sway area. However, the area parameter demonstrated limited reliability, and its results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Based on these findings, detected inter- and intra-group variability may contribute to building a robust evidence base for future classification development of Para Karate athletes.

Keywords: Athlete classification; Balance assessment; Centre of pressure; Kata performance; Posturography.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible institution and the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, under reference number (UK5/2023). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, with written consent from the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) for those under 18. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Comparison of the total path of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Comparison of the anterior-posterior path of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Comparison of the medio-lateral path of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Comparison of the total area of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Comparison of the anterior-posterior area of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Comparison of the medio-lateral area of CoP in the 30 s bipedal stance test among Para Karate athletes with different impairments
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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