Journal of Physical Education and Sport ® (JPES), Vol. 21 (5), Art 332, pp. 2466 - 2472, September 2021 online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES 2466---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corresponding Author: WALERY ZUKOW, E-mail: w.zukow@wp.pl Original Article Improvement of special training of karatists for kumite competitions using Kata BOGDAN KINDZER 1 , MYROSLAVA DANYLEVYCH 2 , VIKTORIYA IVANOCHKO 3 , IRYNA HRYBOVSKA 4 , YAROSLAV KASHUBA 5 , IGOR GRYGUS 6 , MAREK NAPIERAŁA 7 , OLGA SMOLEŃSKA 8 , MAŁGORZATA OSTROWSKA 9 , MAGDALENA HAGNER-DERENGOWSKA 10 , RADOSŁAW MUSZKIETA 11 , WALERY ZUKOW 12 1 Department of Fencing, Boxing and National Martial Arts, Lviv State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskij, Lviv, UKRAINE 2,3,4 Department of Fitness and Recreation, Lviv, State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskij, Lviv, UKRAINE 5 Department of Economics and Management, Lviv, State University of Physical Culture named after Ivan Boberskij, Lviv, UKRAINE 6 Faculty of Science & Technology, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Czestochowa, POLAND 7 University of Economy, Bydgoszcz, POLAND 8,9,10,11,12 Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, POLAND Published online: September 30, 2021 (Accepted for publication September 15, 2021) DOI:10.7752/jpes.2021.05332 Abstract Oriental martial arts has millions of fans around the world. Successfully develop and cultivate all styles of martial arts from Chinese Wushu to full contact Muetai, Kyokushinkai karate, and many others. Kyokushinkai Karate is one of the most popular types of martial arts, cultivated by more than 16 million people in 140 countries, which has a well-established training system, one of the elements of which is the development of specialized kata complexes. This is a formalized sequence of movements, combined on the principles of a duel with imaginary one or more opponents. The purpose of the study is to improve the special training of qualified Kyokushinkai karate athletes in the competitive discipline of Kumite with the use of kata complexes. The following research methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature; sociological methods (questionnaires); pedagogical observation; pedagogical testing, pedagogical experiment; medical and biological methods, and methods of mathematical statistics. The priority of the executioner "Sanchin" and "Tensho" as elements of special training and the significance of their impact on the physical condition of the athlete. The author's technique of training process with the use of kata complexes is developed and introduced, for the directed influence on separate indicators of the level of development of special physical qualities and functional state of karate. As a result of the use of kata in the preparation of qualified karate for Kumite in the athletes of the experimental group, there were significant positive changes in the level of development of special physical qualities and speed and strength indicators when performing many shock combinations. There was a statistically significant (p <0.05) increase in power and time parameters of complex, multi-stroke combinations "Shita Tsuki" - "Mavashi Tsuki" - 25.8%, "Shita Tsuki" - "Mavashi Tsuki" - "Mavashi Geri" - 28.4%). Key words: kata, qualified karate players, Kyokushin karate, special training. Introduction Kyokushinkai Karate is one of the most popular types of martial arts, which is cultivated by more than 16 million people in 140 countries (Kindzer et al., 2018; Bliznyuk, 2009; Kindzer, 2015d; Saenko, 2010). Competitive activity in Kyokushinkai karate, according to scientists, involves the manifestation of maximum muscular effort; performing complex technical actions for a long time; moving in difficult conditions associated with limited space and time limit; static voltage; high degree of mental stress (Kindzer, 2018; Blair, 2005; Kindzer 2015c; Korobeynikov et al., 2005). In Kyokushinkai karate, a specialized system of the kata has been developed - a formalized sequence of movements, which are combined according to the principles of fighting with an imaginary opponent or a group of opponents (Kawaishi, 1998). In essence, it is the quintessence of the technique of a particular style of martial arts and a powerful means of mobilizing the physical, functional, and psycho-emotional reserves of the athlete, which is achieved through the following indicators: passive and active meditation; formation of rational, perfect and variable technique, consolidation of clear motor reflexes; active-dynamic psychotraining; accumulation, control, stimulation and self-direction of bioenergy to activate physiological and energy processes, the implementation of the necessary dynamic structures at the level of maximum capabilities of the individual (Kawaishi, 1998; Taylor, 2005; Guziy, 2013; Berezhansky, 2015; Zhukov et al., 2014).