Math in Martial Arts

[SoulAssassin]

Hey everyone, Im back again. Took a short leave from the computer world. I have to research how math is involved in martial arts. My presentation has to be 15 minutes long, and has to keep everyones attention. There anyone who can help me out with this?

[monkeygirl]

Math in martial arts???

 

I suppose there's angles involved in joint locks...you can't just pull in any direction, it has to be specific.

 

I guess you have speed equations too (If a train is leaving Boston at 10 a.m....) during sparring. The speed of one fighter vs. another could be worked out to see whose kick will land first.

 

During tournament sparring, there's good ol' addition (subtraction too if you're a bad bad boy and kick your partner below the belt)

 

That's all I can think of for now.

[SoulAssassin]

I said the same thing I was thinking about joint locks, pressurepoints, chokes. But not sure if thats the way to go, or if theres more I can do. AHH!!!! I dont know what to do...

[karate_woman]

There are lots of places to go. Much of the reasoning behind the moves in martial arts is explained by science, and calculated therefore using mathematical equations.

 

You can go anywhere from the angles we use in some of our stances, to the differences in force required to block versus redirect a punch/kick, to the mechanics of the punch, to why it is physically possible for a smaller person to throw a larger person, to why we have augmented blocks...wherever you want to go there's bound to be some science/math behind it.

 

If you're going theoretical, you could get into the Chinese fascination(for lack of a better word) with the number "3" and how it plays out in Chinese martial arts and how it has transferred over into Okinawan/Japanese martial arts as well.

 

Have fun!

[SoulAssassin]

I know there is math behind it, or theory on everything hehe.. I just am not sure where to find it. I am not going to go buy a book just for school work though. I tried finding stuff online but I am havign bad luck and not seeing anything. I would love to find all the interesting information about martial arts to share with my class (not to mention it will give me a good grade). I have taken martialarts for a while though my teacher never taught any theory. Just told us what to do and combined different arts together etc... So I dont know what to search for..?.? Edited May 8, 2003 by SoulAssassin

[niel0092]

I'd look at physics for your answers - it's rooted in mathematics.

 

Force=Mass x Acceleration is the best example. This is applicable for every strike you will ever use. For the presentation you could break a board at this point. Always good to hold someones attention.

 

PSI = pounds of pressure per square inch. Look at the striking surface you use and calculate the force you can deal out.

 

Circular momentum, acceleration/deceleration, opposing forces... these are all areas you could talk about. A demo of a grappling move perhaps?

 

If you dont want to do the demo yourself and have acces to a computer you could put videos into a power point presentation along with slides showing the formulas you used.

 

Hope this helps

[karate_woman]

For starters:

 

http://members.tripod.com/~HappyCloud/

 

http://www.martialarts-int.com.au/PreviousNewsletters/1The%20PhysofPunching.pdf

 

http://www.mvhs.fuhsd.org/i-heng_mccomb/physics/proj0203/sports/martialarts_files/frame.htm

[delta1]

I agree with the physics aproach, as all body mechanics and martial arts applications are physics based. You use leverage in throws and arm bars. You could further develope that into compounding leverage as you lever an opponent over backwards using both your and his bodies points of flex (articulation). Inertia comes in to play when you get your body mass behind a strike or borrow his force and use it against him. The formulas for power and speed are in most everything you do. You might explore the momentary gyroscopic effect in spinning techniques and how it stabilizes a narrower base. How about comparing a block done as you move off the original center line to a block that meets a force head on by using the principals of vectoring forces? Center of gravity and stability. The applications are endless- sorta boggles tha mind!

 

I'd pick a few that interest you, then research the physics. Maybe talk with a physical therapist (they are well versed on physics applied to the human body). Then, in general examples using stick figures, apply the math. Should be an interesting and enlightening project! Good luck!

[Red J]

Take a geometry lesson and look at how effective shape can be. For instance the angle of your arm in an overhead block can directly affect the direction of the deflected strike. Or, In the jui-jitsu and judo sense, the leverage and center of gravity question is also huge. Math/science can prove how style and shape can be effective. Good luck with your project. Better you than me!

[gheinisch]

I agree with Delta and Niel, our Hanshi has mentioned many times how karate is all about physics ie. fulcrums and levers, for every action there is a reaction, acceleration x mass = force and so on. Put focus on only a few though, you don't want to over load them with info. As said earlier, demos are always an attention getter. Ask for volunteers!

 

Good Luck!