R.V. Bestinov¹
PhD, Associate Professor K.S. Kolodeznikov¹
A.A. Mikhailov^1
1Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk

Keywords: punch biomechanics, punching technique, stress factors (SF), stress tolerance, motor skill, boxing

Background. Modern biomechanics offer a variety of technical skills rating tools to assess efficiency and effectiveness of one or another motor skill, with the efficiency indicative of the motor skill quality as such and effectiveness characterizing, among other things, the motor skill compliance with the standard [6, 7]. Developers of the motor skill models give special attention to the execution effectiveness, stress tolerance and motor skill biomechanics. It should be emphasized that the motor skill efficiency may be rated by a range of biomechanical, physiological, psychological, aesthetic and other test criteria, particularly in the technically intense sports with versatile technical arsenals and stressful competitive environments – like modern team sports, martial arts, etc. [2, 4]. Punching technique biomechanics in the modern boxing sport deserves a special analysis in this context.

One of the key competitive performance criteria in modern boxing is the number of high-quality power punches on target per match. Since the boxers develop extremely high punching power [8], further technical and competitive progress largely depends on the muscular effort coordination and control skill [5, 9]. It is through the persistent progress in coordination of the punching antagonist/ synergist muscles that the wrestlers excel in the speed-strength qualities today [1, 12].

Technical goals in modern boxing are attainable by harmonized efforts of the muscle groups mobilized for the movement biomechanics [3], although progress in the punching sequence coordination, accuracy and speed-strength aspects cannot be achieved unless a variety of external stress factors is taken into account – for they may distort the muscle group coordination patterns with the punching muscles mobilization sequences thereby undermining the punching technique efficiency and effectiveness [11]. One of the best sport-specific speed-strength building models is the motor skill analyzers mobilization method with application of special weights for extra excitation of the relevant nervous centers to engage extra motor elements in the punching technique. Such weights-applying stress trainings are mostly designed to simulate the punching techniques [10].

Objective of the study was to analyze variations in the boxing punching technique biomechanics under different stressors.

Methods and structure of the study. The study and experiments were run at the Institute of Physical Education and Sport of North-Eastern Federal University. We sampled for the study highly-skilled boxers (n=25, including 22 males and 3 females) aged 22 years and weighing in 57 kg on average with the following sport qualifications: 1 WCMS, 10 MS and 14 CMS. Prior to the stress training, the sample made test punches in a combat stance by the lead arm to the head area, with the following punching technique aspects rated: response time; maximal punching speed; and maximal acceleration. In the stress training, the sample made 20 punches per min (60 punches for 3 min) in a combat stance by the lead arm to the head area with 1-kg dumbbell on day 1 and 2-kg dumbbell on day 2. Post-stress tests were run on the next day upon the stress trainings. We used Qualisys Medical optoelectronic computerized tests system and a set of infrared cameras to fix the 3D punching technique biomechanics, with the test data processed by Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) software toolkit.

Results and discussion. Given in Table 1 hereunder are the stress test data of the sample.

Table 1. Stress test data of the sample

The response time was found to change insignificantly upon the stress tests (+0% and +8% after the 1-kg and 2-kg stress trainings, respectively. The maximal punching speed was found to peak after the 1-kg stress training and fall after the 2-kg stress test by +8% and -7%, respectively. We believe that the prior 1-kg stress training stimulated the extra motor skill analysis and muscle mobilizing mechanisms to achieve the best muscular tone. The -7% fall in the punching speed after the 2-kg stress training may be explained by the still incomplete muscular coordination rehab process. On the whole, the prior stress trainings of the punching muscle groups were of significant effect on the punching technique biomechanics. And the maximal acceleration rate of the punch (+15%) was found in the post-1kg-stress training test, versus a fall of -5% in the post-2kg-stress training test.

Conclusion. Based on the study data and analyses, we would recommend punching technique training with varied weights, with the 1-kg dumbbells most beneficial for the maximal punching speed trainings of 52-57 kg boxers. The varied-weight punching technique excellence trainings prudently customized to the boxer’s weight class and actual physical fitness may be beneficial for progress as verified by the tests. The motor skill biomechanics research in sports will be advanced, particularly in the situation when the sports rules change every year and the coaches and athletes have to persistently improve the training and competitive systems based on comprehensive test data and analyses including the biomechanical ones.

References

1. Bernstein N.A. Physiology of movement and activity. Moscow: Kniga po Trebovaniyu publ., 2012. 496 p.
2. Bestinov R.V., Kolodeznikov K.S., Dmitriev O.N. Benefits of performance improvement rehabilitation model for boxing elite. Teoriya i praktika fiz. kultury. 2019. No. 10. 85 p.
3. Bobrova E.V. Mechanisms of sensorimotor coordination of human movements and posture. Doct. Diss. (Biol.). St. Petersburg, 2010. 320 p.
4. Vasilev E.V., Kolodeznikov K.S., Kolodeznikova M.G. Analysis of competitive performance of elite boxer. Pedagogiko-psikhologicheskie i mediko-biologicheskie problemy fizicheskoy kultury i sporta. 2018. V. 13. No. 2. pp. 18-23.
5. Verkhoshanskiy Yu.V. Fundamentals of special strength training in sports. M.: Sovetskiy sport publ., 2013. 216 p.
6. Kolodeznikov K.S., Bestinov R.V., Kolodeznikova M.G. Research of competitive performance of WSB league boxers. Pedagogiko-psikhologicheskie i mediko-biologicheskie problemy fizicheskoy kultury i sporta. 2017. V. 12. No. 2. pp. 24-30.
7. Krivoshapkin P.I., Podlivaev B.A., Filippov N.S. Biomechanical bases of general and special physical training of junior wrestlers. Yakutsk, 2019. 192 p.
8. Lukyanenko V.P., Volkov R.A. Biomechanical features of boxers' strike movements. Mir nauki, kultury, obrazovaniya. 2013. No. 4 (41). 85 p.
9. Pavlov S.E. Physiological foundations of qualified athletes training. M.: RSUPES publ., 2009. 54 p.
10. Fileva V.V., Melnikov A.A. Restoration of vertical posture in athletes after external pushing influence. Novye podkhody k izucheniyu klassicheskikh problem. M.: AlfaPrint publ., 2015. 118 p.
11. Krauss G. Biochemistry of Signal Transduction and Regulation. 5-th ed. Berlin: Wiley-VCH, 2014. 844 p.
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Corresponding author: mgkolod@inbox.ru

Abstract

Objective of the study was to analyze variations in the boxing punching technique biomechanics under different stressors.

Methods and structure of the study. The study and experiments were run at the Physical Education and Sports Institute of North-Eastern Federal University. We sampled for the study highly-skilled boxers (n=25, including 2 2 males and 3 females) aged 22 years and weighing in 57 kg on average with the following sport qualifications: 1 WCMS, 10 MS and 14 CMS. Prior to the stress training, the sample made test punches in a combat stance by the lead arm to the head area, with the following punching technique aspects rated: response time; maximal punching speed; and the maximal acceleration. In the stress training, the sample made 20 punches per min (60 punches for 3 min) in a combat stance by the lead arm to the head area with 1-kg dumbbell on day 1 and 2-kg dumbbell on day 2. Post-stress tests were run on the next day upon the stress trainings. We used Qualisys Medical optoelectronic computerized tests system and a set of infrared cameras to fix the 3D punching technique biomechanics, with the test data processed by Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) software toolkit.

Results and discussion. Based on the study data and analyses, we would recommend punching technique training with varied weights, with the 1-kg dumbbells most beneficial for the maximal punching speed trainings of 52-57 kg boxers. The varied-weight punching technique excellence trainings prudently customized to the boxer’s weight class and actual physical fitness may be beneficial for progress as verified by the tests.