Basic shotokan karate-do techniques as a means of correction of posture in middle school age children

Among the means of motor activity there are both long-known and those that have become popular recently: original gymnastic complexes and programs, orthoses and orthopedic devices, the use of oriental motor complexes and martial arts. The basic technical exercises of Shotokan karate-do are characterized by: the involvement of stabilizing muscle groups of synergists and antagonists, which are responsible for stabilizing normal and correcting disturbed posture in children. From the point of view of the physiological effect on the spine, the greatest interest is the hand technique (te-waza), which has the most voluminous spatial characteristics in relation to the work of the trunk and upper limbs. Technical movements can be performed symmetrically (morote dzuki, morote haiwan uke, ryowan uke, kakewake uke, juji uke), or asymmetrically - the movement is performed by the working hand, while the other hand occupies the final position of fixation on the ilium of the opposite side (hikite). To control stability in the sagittal and frontal planes, the pectoral muscles, the latissimus dorsi and trapezius muscles in the upper parts, the rectus and oblique muscles of the abdomen, the quadratus lumborum, the iliopsoas muscle and the extensor muscle of the spine in the lower parts are involved in the movement process. Rotational stabilization is achieved through the combined work of the serratus muscles and the latissimus dorsi muscle. Additionally, during the performance of technical movements with the upper limbs, due to the participation of both upper limbs, the muscular corset of the spine is stabilized with the help of the scapular muscles and the muscles of the rotator cuff. A separate advantage of the technical exercises of Shotokan karate-do is the ideological, spiritual motivating component, soft, natural encouragement and creation of motivation for classes with the aim of correcting the disturbed posture, as a natural continuous process, both physical and spiritual self-improvement.