Measuring the Boxing Punch: Development and Calibration of a Non-Embedded In-Glove Piezo-Resistive Sensor

Andrew Jovanovski,Brad Stappenbelt

doi:10.3390/proceedings2020049013

Abstract

Biomechanics measurement in boxing is becoming increasingly important for the analysis of boxing technique in order to promote exciting and safer boxing at both amateur and professional levels. Despite this interest, there have been few experiments within this field of research that have utilised a non-embedded in-glove sensor to measure the resultant power generated by a boxing punch. The aim of this study was to develop a dynamic measurement system, utilising a non-embedded in-glove sensor system. Two sensors were utilised; a tri-axial accelerometer to measure acceleration and a piezo-resistive force sensor hand wrap to measure the impact force of a boxer’s punch. The piezo-resistive system was calibrated using a static measurement system utilising simple load cells for force and laser displacement sensors for glove speed measurements. The system was tested on 31 novice boxing athletes participating in the study. A mean impact force of 2.31 kN ± 3.28 kN, an instantaneous velocity prior to impact of 4.73 m/s ± 0.35 m/s, an impact acceleration of 91 g ± 11 g, deceleration immediately following impact of 223 g ± 21 g and a maximum power dissipation of 11.2 kW ± 2.05 kW were measured. These values correspond well with prior studies using alternate measurement approaches. The calibration of the non-embedded in-glove piezo-resistive force sensor on the static measurement system yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.85.

Highlights

IntroductionIn the sport of boxing it is “widely known that speed (reaction time) and power (attacking force) are two main factors” that are crucial in ensuring a win by delivering a knock-out blow to one’s opponent ([1], p. 139)
In the sport of boxing it is “widely known that speed and power are two main factors” that are crucial in ensuring a win by delivering a knock-out blow to one’s opponent ([1], p. 139)
The static measurement system was subject to falsely amplified force readings

Summary

Introduction

In the sport of boxing it is “widely known that speed (reaction time) and power (attacking force) are two main factors” that are crucial in ensuring a win by delivering a knock-out blow to one’s opponent ([1], p. 139). These physiological characteristics, along with the oxygen uptake an athlete possesses, are what can empower the individual to deliver a damaging punch with sufficient force and power. Without the appropriate technique, a boxer is unable to effectively utilise their physiological characteristics to maximise punch power. This is due to the psychological effect in that as a boxer grasps the fundamental techniques of boxing and grows in confidence so too does their speed, movement and power [2,3]. The underlying flaws of the instruments presented in literature have lacked reliability and the ability to provide measurements on the achievable punch power of a boxer, Proceedings 2020, 49, 13; doi:10.3390/proceedings2020049013 www.mdpi.com/journal/proceedings

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion