MUSCULAR RECRUITMENT DURING REAR HAND PUNCHES DELIVERED AT MAXIMAL FORCE AND SPEED BY AMATEUR BOXERS.

Abstract

Six male competitive amateur boxers (mean ± SD age: 24.6 ± 3.3 years; height 1.82 ± 0.05m; mass: 73.3 ± 19.0 kg) participated in electromyography during delivery of boxing punches to a dynamometer. A linear model of recruitment of the muscles under investigation applied best in the case of maximum force punches delivered to the body. The importance of the rectus femoris gastrocnemius and biceps femoris muscles in the initiation of punch delivery was evident. Punch forces delivered for maximal force were greater than those delivered for maximum speed. The force was 38% greater when a maximum force punch to the head was delivered relative to that delivered for maximum speed. This was associated with increased activity of 27% in the large rectus femoris muscle involved in rear leg extension.