Studying Sportive Movement Patterns: Selected Examples

Cross section of biomechanical[aut]Biomechanical, predominantly[aut]Biomechanics kinematicsKinematic analysis-oriented, research in the ‘Zagreb kinesiology[aut]kinesiology circle’ is often categorized within division related to: monostructural, polystructural, complex, and aesthetically-conventional kinesiological activities. Movement patterns in sporting activities are represented through reductionist-constructivist dualism. Reductionist[aut]Reductionist sports[aut]Reductionist sports, colloquially called ‘gram-meter-second (GMS) sports’, are essentially reduced to the goal of achieving results through international standards of measurement and measures, e.g. the SI system[aut]Systems. Movement analysis is mostly performed in controlled space (either closed, indoors, such as in a motion analysis laboratory, or outdoors) and with technologies for ‘extended’ sensory-motor circuits, and motion control in general. Examples of javelin throw and sprinting discipline are presented. Constructivist[aut]Constructivist sports, in addition to the physical manifestation of the individual movement, include additional aesthetic component, cooperation, opposition, or some achievement of an externally ruled goal. Movement analysis should imply both GMS dimension of movement and psychosocial and systemic[aut]Systemic elements, such as tasks, tactics, strategy, momentum, etc. Examples of tennis[aut]Constructivist sports serve and team handball jump shot are presented.