Estimating punch "power" in combat sports

Venom

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In many of these casual discussions, I see many posters in MMA forums use
F = ma and simply plug and chug, but I think that's an equivocation. Even the phrase "punching power" seems to suggest something it's not.

I suspect that the more important relation is Impulse and Momentum. I remember from first year physics (not more than a few years ago) these equations were used to study simple collisions.

Could a punch be modeled as a simple elastic collision?

Also, do you think wrist diameter/circumference would affect the amount of energy that could be transferred from the body to the fist? Intuitively to me it makes sense. Within seconds of play-fighting a person with larger, thicker bones than you, you feel physically outgunned and outmatched.
 
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IIIClovisIII said:
Could a punch be modeled as a simple elastic collision?
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No. An elastic collision implies conservation of kinetic energy. The "power" of a punch is going to come from the energy that is used to break things. This relies on all kinds of material properties of the surface hit, and the contact time, as well as what you want to do with the punch.

Also, do you think wrist diameter/circumference would affect the amount of energy that could be transferred from the body to the fist? Intuitively to me it makes sense. Within seconds of play-fighting a person with larger, thicker bones than you, you feel physically outgunned and outmatched
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Possibly. Not just because it increases the mass, but also because stiffer bones are going to "give" less, giving a sharper impulse. Not sure if it would be noticeable.
 
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No idea at all on the maths. But I will comment that estimating the potential maximum punching power of a person is likely to be hugely easier than estimating the actual delivered power of any single punch, until or unless accelerometers or somesuch are attached to gloves.
 
Three decades ago Scientific American published a study that determined the force applied by a martial arts strike was 1000 pounds as I recall.
 
Steve001 said:
Three decades ago Scientific American published a study that determined the force applied by a martial arts strike was 1000 pounds as I recall.
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If those guys say its Tuesday, then its Tuesday.
 
baron said:
That is the most outrageously stupid and ill-informed video I've seen in some time.
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I concur with you to a degree and many of the comments of all online versions of the linked Sport Science video presentation. And yet, Fedor Emeilanenko agreed to be part of it.
 
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