Effective mass, the portion of an athlete’s mass contributing to a punch, is a key biomechanical factor influencing punching strength in boxing. This study examines its relationship with punch mechanics, impulse dynamics, and body composition, identifying techniques that maximize effective mass and enhance force transfer efficiency. Thirty trained male boxers performed jab, cross, lead hook, and rear hook punches while punching force and limb acceleration were measured using an AMTI MC12-2K force plate and Noraxon Ultium EMG sensors. Effective mass was calculated as the ratio of peak force to fist acceleration at impact. Statistical analysis compared punching techniques and examined correlations with body composition and training experience. Straight punches (jab, cross) exhibited significantly higher effective mass than hooks (KW-H = 235.24; p < 0.001; η² = 0.468), despite hooks generating greater peak forces. Cross punches had the highest effective mass (31.17 ± 16.20 kg), followed by jabs (30.39 ± 15.09 kg). No significant correlation was found between effective mass and body composition or training tenure, suggesting technique is more critical than absolute body mass. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing linear punch mechanics and impulse-to-acceleration synchronization in training to enhance effective mass transfer and striking performance.

Anxiety could be felt even in objectively peaceful situations, but a vision of conflict could result in increased stress levels. In this article, we aimed to identify hidden patterns of mental conditions and create male profiles to illustrate the different subgroups as well as determinants of anxiety levels among them in accordance with proximity to a possibility of direct exposure to military action. A sample of Ukrainian males, in duty as conscripts to military service (n = 392, M±SD = 22.1±5.3) participated in a survey. We used the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In addition to psychological indices, social-demographic data were collected. To discover the number of clusters, the k-means algorithm was used, the optimal number of clusters was found by the elbow algorithm. For validation of the model and its use for further prediction, the random forest machine-learning algorithm, was used. By performing k-means cluster analyses, 3 subgroups were identified. High values of psychological indices dominated in Subgroup 2, while lowest values dominated in Subgroup 3. Subgroup 1 showed a more even distribution among the indices. The strength of the relevance and main determinants of the prediction of the presented model mostly consisted of mental qualities, while socio-demographic data were slightly significant. There is no clear relevance between proximity or even the experience of military actions and anxiety levels. Other factors, mostly subjective feelings about mental conditions, are crucial determinants of feeling anxiety.

Background: Modern combat sports, including boxing, categorize participants by body mass to ensure fairness and safety. The effective mass, or the ability to maximize body mass during a punch, significantly impacts striking force. This study aims to explore the relationship between effective mass and striking force in lead jab and rear cross punches of boxers. Material and methods: Thirteen male boxers with an average body mass of 90.6 kg and average height of 184 cm participated. The study employed an AMTI MC12-2K force plate (AMTI, Watertown, MA, USA) and Noraxon Ultium EMG sensors (Noraxon, Scottsdale, AZ, USA) to measure impact force and acceleration. Each boxer performed five maximum-force strikes with both lead jab and rear cross techniques. Results: The rear cross punch generated significantly higher ground reaction force (1709.28 ± 486.62 N) compared to the lead jab (1182.56 ± 250.81 N). However, effective mass values were similar for both punches: lead jab (18.95 ± 5.29 kg, 21.51% of body mass) and rear cross (18.50 ± 5.56 kg, 21.04% of body mass). Higher body mass and longer training tenure positively correlated with higher effective mass. An inverse relationship was found between fist acceleration and effective mass. Conclusions: Effective mass plays a crucial role in punch biomechanics, with similar utilization between lead jab and rear cross punches despite the latter’s higher force. Training focused on optimizing body mass utilization and refining punch techniques can enhance punch effectiveness.

The gender type of fighters and the technique of movement may have a significant impact on the level of effectiveness of sporting rivalry, yet their significance may differ depending on a multitude of factors. Hence, the aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of the effective mass and foot acceleration on the force of the turning kick and the side kick depending on the gender type of competitors represented. Material and Methods: The research was participated in by nine practitioners of taekwon-do, four men and five women of a minimum age of 18, all of whom have a black belt. They executed a series of kicks on a tensometric platform known as AMTI, model MC12-2K, series 2000 mounted on a stable construction and a padded training target in order to protect the fighters from injury. The data relating to the acceleration was acquired by means of installing a wireless sensor IMU Ultium by the firm Noraxon near the foot, which is synchronized with the tensometric platform registering the force of the blow. Results: The registered differences between the force pressure in the analysed kicks (turning kick F=84.14; p<0.001) (side kick F=46.62; p<0.001), while also the lack of statistical significance between the effective mass in the case of the turning kick (H=2.80; p=0.094) and the side kick (H=0.02; p=0.879) between men and women. By comparison with men, a strong correlation was noted amongst women between the effective mass and pressure force (r=0.79; p<0.05). Conclusion: Our research reveals that there is a lack of significant differences between women and men in terms of the effective mass acquired in the blows administered, both in the case of turning kicks and side kicks. Nevertheless, due to the lower mass of women that is determined genetically, this factor will always reduce the value of the force of kick acquired. Interdependency of the effective mass and foot acceleration exists depending on the gender type represented while executing a turning kick. However, the execution of the side kick reveals a similar interdependency between these indicators both in the cases of women and men.

Over the last several years the martial arts became an increasingly popular activity and benefited people of all ages.