Impact of Leg Strength on the Force Produced During a Cross-Punch in Highly Trained Amateur Boxers

Abstract Satkunskiene, D, Bruzas, V, Mantas, M, Snieckus, A, and Kamandulis, S. Impact of leg strength on the force produced during a cross-punch in highly trained amateur boxers leg strength impact on cross-punch force. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of leg strength on force generation during the execution of a cross-punch by highly trained amateur boxers. This study involved 12 male, amateur boxers with a body mass range of 64.5–112.2 kg and a mean of 89.2 ± 17.0 kg. This study used an isokinetic dynamometer to measure the peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscles at 60°/s. The force plate was used to collect three-dimensional ground reaction forces (GRF), moments (GRM), and the center of pressure (COP) during a maximal cross-punch. The Kiktest-100 system was used to determine the force of the punch, while the Hykso punch tracker accelerometer measured the maximum fist velocity. This study revealed a positive correlation between knee extensor strength and GRFz, GRFy, and COPy during punch performance. In addition, the GRMz gradient and GRMz impulse during the execution phase have a significant positive effect on cross-punch force. In conclusion, the force of a straight punch in highly trained, amateur boxers is related to a greater angular velocity about the vertical axis during body rotation.