PUT UP YOUR DUX

By The Real Frank Dux

IS Strength & Power Synonymous

Hearing the term strength vs. power SHOULD be confusing to someone unfamiliar with how the terms are used and best understood as pertaining to martial combat.

However, there does exist a tell a novice may use. The tell is whether or not the instructor in question ascribes to the urban myth of power vs. strength.

This myth is where these fakes give themselves away. The uneducated argue that strength is different from power, as punching comes from bone structure, muscle fiber type, speed, and mass/weight.

This lack of professional understanding reveals a low level of comprehension of the true meaning of the terms used so readily.

This misunderstanding or ignorance comes from a place where it is safe to assume they are clueless as to the usage of the term “strength” as it pertains to “combat readiness and capability to inflict serious bodily damage that is an integral term to understanding combat.

Scientifically, mass times speed or energy divided by impact time is how we can predict and measure the transfer of kinetic energy or what is referred to as “strength” in combat sports like boxing.

Regardless of your raw strength (how much force your muscles can exert), strength in physical combat is increased with speed and optimal body mechanics, aka “technique.”

For instance, proper foot alignment, twisting of the body/core, hip, shoulder, and arm firing have been measurably proven to be optimal.

These fundamental biomechanics and techniques generate and transfer kinetic energy When throwing punches with elbows in, applying kinetic linking is held at the correct position for firing off a jab or a hook punch. This allows us to apply “boxing strength” effectively and efficiently, increasing power/kinetic energy/strength.

Muscular power is most often confused with the term strength in the fight industry. However, that does not mean the same as how you apply your raw strength, lifting weights, for instance.

The faster you move the harder it is to apply your raw strength, since as muscle fibers activate, they must transition from the previous position before they can move onto the next position The physical process limits how many fibers apply force at any given time

To increase fighting strength/power, you must increase speed or mass because of the physics involved This reality is why the field of ballistics exists. The higher the gunpowder load, the faster the bullet moves or increases the mass of the bullet, and the greater the kinetic energy transfer.

Why does a rifle firing a diminutive .22 caliber have more stopping power than a larger and heavier .45 caliber slug and vice versa, given the tradeoffs?

The impact time and direction of force on target determines transfer and depth of penetration of kinetic energy, a difference between impacting vital organs or inflicting superficial damage.

To better understand the difference in strength of a punch or kick this way is have your workout partner punch you in your chest using their arm resembling a battering ram, stiff and locked. Then have them mimic a ball and chain, snapping a fist back upon impact, quickly as possible. The strength of the later blow because of the physics involved is significantly greater. That may help you understand why a ball and chain on a crane is used in demolition of buildings rather than battering rams and when it comes to generating the strength of your punches, kicks, etc. Your impact time is a critical determining factor.

Noteworthy, the heavier a person is the more mass they possess the more power they can potentially generate. That is providing they have ample speed and employ proper body biomechanics/technique. Also likewise, they have a greater ability to absorb a strike.

Just like you need more strength to lift heavier weights, you need to be able to apply more of your “strength” (mass at greater speed) to hurt a heavier/larger opponent.

My ability to shatter champagne bottles, whiskey bottles, and bulletproof glass was only made possible because of my speed, mass, and mastery of impact retraction the optimal transfer of kinetic energy. These world records are still standing and readily available for viewing via YouTube

Many instances captured on YouTube prove how a more petite man or woman using technique wins out over the brawn of a larger person towering over them.

Remember that there are no weight classes or referees in a street fight or on a battlefield

The combat environment is unforgiving and is why we must truly develop and understand our fighting “strength” to be able to compare it against an adversary strength before we commit to take on what can be a lethal threat

In such cases where our strength is not superior to the adversary, our discretion becomes a better part of valor and the most appropriate strategic response.

Courage is a fool’s errand when operating at a disadvantage, strength in a fight that can be avoided Thus, know yourself. That begins with truly knowing your limitations and developing and identifying your strengths and vulnerabilities.

Power and Strength are synonymous terms in the combat arts. There is no such thing as Strength vs. Power.