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Dmitriev V., Starostina O. Biomechanics of Movement in Traditional Sports Competitions of the Peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia

Vladimir Dmitriev
The Russian Museum of Ethnography
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0000-0002-0011-5153
E-mail: dmitriev_home@mail.ru

 

Olga Starostina
The Russian Museum of Ethnography
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
ORCID: 0009-0002-8737-0014
E-mail: starostinaov73@mail.ru

 

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ABSTRACT. The main topic of the article is the search for a connection between the facts of ethnographic science and the phenomena of the physical world, in particular, movement as a form of its existence. The variation of traditional physical culture depending on the age of members of the society is noted. The transformation of biomechanics into anthropology of movement of folk sport is considered depending on natural conditions, occupations of the population and ethos of the people. The properties of biomechanics of movement as an element of folk physical games are presented on the example of sports competitions of the peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The complexes formed by such types of biomechanics as progressive, rotational and oscillatory movements are distinguished in them. Progressive movement is realised in active and passive movement of a person, as well as in the movement of material objects. It allows us to interpret the concept of a goal in sports competitions as a point of achieving a result in space. Rotational and oscillatory movements are the result of the integration of rhythm in the biomechanics of movement, including in an irregular form. Rotation is present in movements resembling a round dance and in the circling of an individual for the sake of entering a trance. The oscillating movement in physical culture is made up of repetitions of reciprocating movement. This allows us to see it in mobile games and competitions and to assume that the meaning of victory in pair martial arts is to immobilise the loser. The varieties of movement activity are considered on the example of horsemanship games among Adygs and foot competitions among Georgians-Khevsurs.

 

KEYWORDS: anthropology of movement, biomechanics, folk sports games and competitions, peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia

 

FOR CITATION: Dmitriev V., Starostina O. Biomechanics of Movement in Traditional Sports Competitions of the Peoples of the Caucasus and Central Asia. Kunstkamera. 2025. 1 (27): 64–78. (In Russian). DOI: 10.31250/2618-8619-2025-1(27)-64-78

 

DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2025-1(27)-64-78
UDC 394.3:612.76

 

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