Performance in strike combat sports is mostly evaluated through the values of the net force, acceleration, or speed to improve efficient training procedures and/or to assess the injury. There are limited data on the upper limb striking area, which can be a useful variable for contact pressure assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the contact area of the upper limb in three different strike technique positions. A total of 38 men and 38 women (n = 76, 27.3 ± 8.5 years of age, 73.9 ± 13.8 kg of body weight, 173.3 ± 8.4 cm of body height) performed a static simulation of punch with a fist, palm strike, and elbow strike, where three segments of the right upper limb were scanned. The analysis of 684 images showed a correlation (r = 0.634) between weight and punch technique position in men and significant differences in elbow strike (p < 0.001) and palm strike (p < 0.0001) between women and men. In both groups, the palm demonstrated the largest area and the elbow the smallest one. These data may be used to evaluate strike contact pressure in future studies in forensic biomechanics and assessment of injury in combat sports and self-defense.

Biomechanical Human Body Models New Technologies Research Centre University of West Bohemia 301 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Machine Design Faculty of Mechanical Engineering University of West Bohemia 301 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Rehabilitation Fields Faculty of Health Care Studies University of West Bohemia 301 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department of Sport Games Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University 162 52 Prague Czech Republic

Ecole Spéciale de Mécanique et d'Electricité Sudria 69002 Lyon France

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The Effect of Protective Mat Thickness on the Upper Limb Strike Force Simulation in Combat Sports and Self Defense

Performance Level and Strike Type during Ground and Pound Determine Impact Characteristics and Net Force Variability