title: Measuring the force of punches and kicks among combat sport athletes using a modified punching bag with an embedded accelerometer.
abstract: The main aim of the study was to design a new system to measure punching and kicking forces as well as reaction times in combat sport athletes. In addition, the study examined whether there were any intergender differences in the force of punches thrown by boxers and kicking forces delivered by taekwondo athletes. Boxers (male, n = 13; female, n = 7) were examined for the force of single straight punches and taekwondo athletes (male, n = 14; female, n = 14) for force of single Apdolio and Dwit Chagi kicks. The punching bag was equipped with acceleration transducers and gyroscopes embedded in a cylinder covered with a layer to absorb shock as well as a set of colour signal diodes. Value of the punching bag's acceleration was used for calculating: strike force; the punching location on the bag; and time of a strike. The relative error of force calculation was 3%; the relative error in acceleration measurement was less than 1%. The force of a straight rear-hand punch was greater than the force of a lead-hand punch among male and female boxers. The force of Apdolio kick delivered with a rear leg was greater compared to a lead leg among female and male taekwondo athletes. Significant gender differences were noticed in the force in both types of kicks. In boxers, intergender differences were reported only for the force of a punch thrown with the rear hand. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the modified punching bag is a good diagnostic tool for combat sports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buśko
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Staniak
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Culture, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Mirosława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szark-Eckardt
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Cultural Education, Hellenic Army Academy, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Pantelis Theodoros
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazur-Różycka
authors.affiliation: Department of Ergonomics, Central Institute For Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB).
authors.forename: Patrycja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Łach
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Radosław
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Michalski
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistic, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gajewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Sport, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Górski
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D061725:Accelerometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer