Body type and Fighting style/capacity

[tinker_190]

Ok guys I have some questions. I am not exactly sure what to search for, so I hope this thread isn't a repeat.

Basically, I have some questions on how body composition affects one to perform in striking combat sports.

I was discussing this topic with a friend of mine. He stated that Anderson Silva has such tremendous speed and power due to his body type. He has

- long, slender limbs
- A relatively thick, strong torso
- Primarily type IIa muscle fibers.

I can see how fast twitch muscle fibers play a role in this, but I don't understand how limb length and slenderness affects power and speed. I also would like to know how torso strength plays into this (ie abs, obliques, upper back, shoulders, etc)

What about slow twitch fiber? Do these fiber types offer any specific advantages and disadvantages in the ring?

As an extension of the question about limb length and slenderness, I countered with Mike Tyson. He was a great, well known example of explosive speed and power in a compact frame. He was blindingly fast, but with short, thick arms and legs.


My second question is related to bone structure.

Now, we all know people with big and small bone structures. My question is: does skeletal size and bone density affect speed and power?

I had a thread a long time ago about how hand size affects power. Does it? Do bigger hands = harder punches? What about wrist size? Do wider clavicles offer any advantages and/or disadvantages?

In said previous thread, I also commented on how, on an old boxing match on ESPN, that one of the boxers had an advantage due to something like a size 14 shoe size. Atlas stated that large feet give a more solid base with which to generate power in a punch. Any truth to this?


Sorry for the long read. Any input would be valued. Thanks!

 

[rarafury]

i might be just spewing some garbage but i think longer limbs (greater radius) = greater rotational torque?

 

[Dafreeclinic]

Ok guys I have some questions. I am not exactly sure what to search for, so I hope this thread isn't a repeat.

Basically, I have some questions on how body composition affects one to perform in striking combat sports.

I was discussing this topic with a friend of mine. He stated that Anderson Silva has such tremendous speed and power due to his body type. He has

- long, slender limbs
- A relatively thick, strong torso
- Primarily type IIa muscle fibers.

I can see how fast twitch muscle fibers play a role in this, but I don't understand how limb length and slenderness affects power and speed. I also would like to know how torso strength plays into this (ie abs, obliques, upper back, shoulders, etc)

What about slow twitch fiber? Do these fiber types offer any specific advantages and disadvantages in the ring?

As an extension of the question about limb length and slenderness, I countered with Mike Tyson. He was a great, well known example of explosive speed and power in a compact frame. He was blindingly fast, but with short, thick arms and legs.


My second question is related to bone structure.

Now, we all know people with big and small bone structures. My question is: does skeletal size and bone density affect speed and power?

I had a thread a long time ago about how hand size affects power. Does it? Do bigger hands = harder punches? What about wrist size? Do wider clavicles offer any advantages and/or disadvantages?

In said previous thread, I also commented on how, on an old boxing match on ESPN, that one of the boxers had an advantage due to something like a size 14 shoe size. Atlas stated that large feet give a more solid base with which to generate power in a punch. Any truth to this?


Sorry for the long read. Any input would be valued. Thanks!

Slow twitch muscle fibers are mainly for movements like walking sitting changing the channel.

The long limbs I would assume refers more to the reach advantage and not as much to the power and speed advantage but I guess you can make this deduction.
Long limbs equal longer rotation and less economical movements

Torso is a big deal as it transfer the majority of the power when you strike.

Bone size and density would tend to affect your durability and weight more than anything imo.

With explosive people its mainly a result of these three things.
High amount of type2a fibers
Strong explosive core
High neuromuscular connections

 

[lukewall]

Slow twitch muscle fibers are mainly for movements like walking sitting changing the channel.

The long limbs I would assume refers more to the reach advantage and not as much to the power and speed advantage but I guess you can make this deduction.
Long limbs equal longer rotation and less economical movements

Torso is a big deal as it transfer the majority of the power when you strike.

Bone size and density would tend to affect your durability and weight more than anything imo.

With explosive people its mainly a result of these three things.
High amount of type2a fibers
Strong explosive core
High neuromuscular connections

You have no idea what you're talking about. Slow twitch muscle fibers are helpful in endurance events like long distance running and certain disciplines of cycling. Think guys like Nick Diaz vs someone like GSP.

I think a fighter just has to work with what they have, develop their style around their physical attributes. If you're a stout + explosive guy, maybe working head movement with the peekaboo and throwing big bombs might be the style for you. Could you imagine Tyson dancing around on his toes and trying to stick and move like Ali?

Or if you're a slender guy that can throw punches all day, maybe you'll be successful being a perpetual motion machine like Paul Williams. I think for guys the most important thing is developing their fundamentals and from there they figure out what works for them and what doesn't.

And to be honest, I don't consider Anderson Silva a fighter with great power. He has good pop, but he's not a bruiser like Melvin Manhoef or Dan Henderson. His ability to hurt guys on the feet comes from his accuracy and timing, not pure power.

 

[tinker_190]

And to be honest, I don't consider Anderson Silva a fighter with great power. He has good pop, but he's not a bruiser like Melvin Manhoef or Dan Henderson. His ability to hurt guys on the feet comes from his accuracy and timing, not pure power.

Actually, that's a good point.

Does anybody have any input on skeletal composition and how it factors in?

 

[Pro Killer]

I have no scientific evidence or understanding of how it works but basically for guesses I'd say a bigger head means you can absorb more punches look at people like Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson, I've never seen them be Knocked Spark out, When Wanderlei destroyed Quinton it was an accumilation of vicious knees and one of the best right hooks in MMA history that KO'ed him not a single shot.

In terms of offence, Small stocky guys who'd be good at the squat tend to have good Hooks and Uppercuts in my experience, I Think it's down to 2 Factors, Firstly they generate more power (the majority of power from all strikes comes from the legs) as they are more muscular and have explosive power (Hooks and Uppercuts are more un-natural movements and explosive punches opposed to Jabs and Straights), Secondly as they are short and stocky they have to develop better inside games as thats where they want to be, Not exchaning Jabs with 6ft odd fighters. Tyson is a good example of this Boxing, Dekkers Muay Thai.
Taller fighters tend to be the opposite their longer limbs make Hooks and Uppercuts more difficult for them although they benefit them with throwing the straight because of the amount of torque their length gives them. Also they will develop a good outside game as they dont wanna be inside with a shorter more powerful hooker.
Think Tommy Hearns Boxing and Chuck Liddell MMA

 

[Oboeplata]

Sorry to hijack this thread but,

If I have short arms, very long torso, but slightly long legs with narrow hips? would that be a good/bad thing?

or

If I had long arms, normal torso, but very narrow shoulder wide with wide hips? would that be a good/bad thing?

Thanks.

 

[SunNovaGun]

Longer limbs equals more leverage.

I read somewhere that the way Tyson's shoulders are rounded forward helps him to transmit power.

 

[Marvin Covar]

Longer/taller fighters are good for fighting on the outside, using range and have a better capacity for using footwork/ getting around the ring. Since they have better reach, their jabs and straights are more their go-to punches and are more suited to throw high kicks (crocop, anyone?). Shorter fighters are perfect for fighting close range since they're harder to hit. They should have better bobbing and weaving since they're already close to the ground anyway and have better hooks and uppercuts since their muscle groups are more closely bunched together, making kinetic linking much easier.

 

[lukewall]

Longer/taller fighters are good for fighting on the outside, using range and have a better capacity for using footwork/ getting around the ring. Since they have better reach, their jabs and straights are more their go-to punches and are more suited to throw high kicks (crocop, anyone?). Shorter fighters are perfect for fighting close range since they're harder to hit. They should have better bobbing and weaving since they're already close to the ground anyway and have better hooks and uppercuts since their muscle groups are more closely bunched together, making kinetic linking much easier.

Height/body proportions and kinetic linking/body mechanics are totally independent things. There are shorter/compact guys that don't have a lot of pop (Tim Bradley) and there are tall/long fighters that have a shotgun for a right hand (Tommy Hearns). It's all about the individual optimizing their body mechanics to get leverage on their punches and height/size has little to do with that.

 

[Kana Li]

In said previous thread, I also commented on how, on an old boxing match on ESPN, that one of the boxers had an advantage due to something like a size 14 shoe size. Atlas stated that large feet give a more solid base with which to generate power in a punch. Any truth to this?

Feet size does not really play much in the roll of generating power. Though having larger feet does make it easier to throw power and be balanced.

 

[CSG Shady]

Mike Tyson was very compact. 5'10 and had a 71' / 72' inch reach.

I dont think long and lean = power. Kid Dynamite hits harder then anybody in MMA tody, even Fedor.

 

[tinker_190]

Mike Tyson was very compact. 5'10 and had a 71' / 72' inch reach.

I dont think long and lean = power. Kid Dynamite hits harder then anybody in MMA tody, even Fedor.

See Tommy Hearns right hand.

 

[tinker_190]

Height/body proportions and kinetic linking/body mechanics are totally independent things. There are shorter/compact guys that don't have a lot of pop (Tim Bradley) and there are tall/long fighters that have a shotgun for a right hand (Tommy Hearns). It's all about the individual optimizing their body mechanics to get leverage on their punches and height/size has little to do with that.

What is kinetic linking?

 

[prometheus]

Mike Tyson was very compact. 5'10 and had a 71' / 72' inch reach.

I dont think long and lean = power. Kid Dynamite hits harder then anybody in MMA tody, even Fedor.

contrast Tyson's build against that of Mark Breland, who at a height of over 6'2" and with a reach in excess of 77" had great success as a welterweight,

here's one of his very best perfrormances imo against Lloyd Honeyghan

 

[Soul Rebel 2]

broad shoulders seems to be a common trait among power punchers. Tyson, Hearns, Anthony Johnson, Shavers etc all had really wide shoulders.

 

[Dafreeclinic]

You have no idea what you're talking about. Slow twitch muscle fibers are helpful in endurance events like long distance running and certain disciplines of cycling. Think guys like Nick Diaz vs someone like GSP.

I think a fighter just has to work with what they have, develop their style around their physical attributes. If you're a stout + explosive guy, maybe working head movement with the peekaboo and throwing big bombs might be the style for you. Could you imagine Tyson dancing around on his toes and trying to stick and move like Ali?

Or if you're a slender guy that can throw punches all day, maybe you'll be successful being a perpetual motion machine like Paul Williams. I think for guys the most important thing is developing their fundamentals and from there they figure out what works for them and what doesn't.

And to be honest, I don't consider Anderson Silva a fighter with great power. He has good pop, but he's not a bruiser like Melvin Manhoef or Dan Henderson. His ability to hurt guys on the feet comes from his accuracy and timing, not pure power.

If A then B
If B then not neccasarily A

Moron, really, sorry I didn't mention everything you use your type1 muscle fibers for. Just because I said that you use them for walking doesnt mean you only use them for walking. I was making an example of when you use type1 muscle fibers.

 

[tinker_190]

TTT

Thread is getting interesting