Biomechanics of the Kho-Giving (Seated Exchange) and Pole-Turn Technique in Kho-Kho

Abstract: Two technical actions unique to kho-kho -- the seated-to-standing “kho” exchange, in which a stationary chaser transfers pursuit to a teammate through a tap and vocal call, and the tight circular turn executed around the corner pole at the end of each lane -- have received almost no dedicated mechanical attention despite governing the tempo of the entire chasing phase. This paper analyses both actions using rotational and rate-of-force-development frameworks drawn from biomechanics research on rapid postural transitions and curved-path running. Twelve male state-level kho-kho players were filmed performing repeated kho exchanges and pole turns under match-simulated conditions, with synchronised high-speed video and an adjacent force platform capturing the seated-to-standing transition and, separately, marker-based tracking of trunk lean and foot placement during pole rounding. The kho exchange was decomposed into a reaction interval, an upper-limb tap phase, and a lower-limb rate-of-force-development phase converting a seated hip and knee position into the first sprint stride; the pole turn was decomposed into an approach, a banked circular phase, and an exit-acceleration phase. Results showed a mean total kho-exchange time of approximately 0.30 seconds from tap contact to first foot-strike, with rate of force development in the seated-start extensors measurably lower than published standing sprint-start values, indicating a genuine mechanical cost to the seated launch position. Pole-turn analysis showed that players who leaned the trunk approximately 15-20° into the turn and reduced turn radius through tighter foot placement completed the pole-rounding phase significantly faster than those adopting an upright, wide-radius path, consistent with the centripetal-force relationship between speed, turn radius, and lean angle. These findings offer the first quantitative mechanical description of two of kho-kho's most frequently repeated, yet previously unexamined, technical actions.