Meeting Abstract

P3.159  Monday, Jan. 6 15:30  Development of a system to study the effects of foot use on punching force LEVENFELD, V*; GOLDMAN, D.I.; Georgia Institute of Technology; Georgia Institute of Technology vlevenfeld@gmail.com

Martial artists have developed different styles of fighting over thousands of years. High level practitioners know well the importance of integrated body, limb and hand movements. However, there is little quantitative understanding of how the striking forces from hand punches are affected by the forces generated at the feet. To help remedy this, and to allow martial artists to quantify mechanics during training, we have developed a low-cost system consisting of two force platforms and multiple high-speed cameras to simultaneously record strike forces, ground reaction forces in three-dimensions from both feet, and limb/body kinematics. Preliminary results indicate common features in the ground reaction force signature for all closed-fist hand strikes. In particular, legs undergo distinct loading and driving stages as the punch is executed, with some significant differences in the timing and weight distribution during these stages among practitioners of varying experience levels. We observe that less experienced practitioners tend to keep their weight equally distributed over both legs at the time of impact. Experienced martial artists shift weight quickly from leg to leg during a punch.