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The Perfect Punch
by Nico (Bl)
In this article, you will learn about: · The science behind a forceful punch · Impulse and momentum · “The snap” and what the “kinetic chain” is
A FORCEFUL PUNCH
A recent study found that the force of a punch is around 2500N in amateur boxers. How is this possible? The force of a punch is dependent on the impulse-momentum relationship of your body. Impulse is force times time, therefore meaning that the faster you produce force the more impulse there is: the more power there is in your punch. On the other side, momentum is mass times velocity, or in other words moving mass quickly. We can improve this by speed, strength, acceleration and increasing your mass so people usually gain weight or get stronger and faster.
THE KINETIC CHAIN and “THE SNAP”
To have an effective punch you will need the ‘snap’ at the end of your punch. It is a second pulse in muscle activation at the end range of punches, timed upon impact of the punch. More force will be produced in a short amount of time when impacting the body, caused by the brief stiffening upon impact, in the arm, shoulders and core.
The maximum power can be created when a lot of momentum is produced and the snap on impact is involved to produce greater force on impact. How this concept works is that if you manage to generate a high amount of impulse (force x time) you will be able to transfer that to the target site and create momentum, as impulse is the change in momentum.
During a punch, force is generated from the floor and transferred from foot to fist via the kinetic chain. To deliver hard, fast punches, the lower body must produce a large force extremely quickly. The core and hip muscles must be strong enough to transfer this force through the mid-section and to the shoulders and then arms, which must be mobile enough to efficiently deliver the fist towards the target.
Tightness, weakness, or dysfunction at various parts of the kinetic chain can negatively affect force transmission and can also increase the risk of injury as other areas are forced super-compensate.
