PROVO -- Scott Stephens' research project packs plenty of punch.
Stephens, a Brigham Young University exercise physiology major, is conducting a study that measures the force behind different types of karate jabs."No one has ever done any testing about punching," said Stephens, who is a green belt in the martial art of ryute renmei.
The testing involves having martial artists hit a padded biomechanical plate that records the pressure applied to the plate through an electrical signal. A computer then creates a digital curve that measures how hard the plate is being hit.
Six video cameras surrounding the martial artists show their movements, translating them into animated figures on a computer screen.
On Friday, Stephens had KyungMo Han, a BYU doctoral student in exercise science who is a black belt, take some whacks at the padded plate. One punch, thrown from the hip, registered at 3.6 times his body weight.
Over the next few weeks, about 40 martial artists will participate in the test. Stephens hopes the study will help practitioners improve their training.
"The results will help martial artists create better attack strategies," he said. "This will show which punch is most effective."
He added that the research could have a far-reaching impact since tae kwon do is extremely popular and is now an Olympic sport.
"It has more competitors than any other sport in the world," he said. "About half a million of those people are from China."
He plans to publish his findings in martial arts magazines.
Stephens' project is funded through BYU's Office of Research and Creative Activities, which awarded $1,000 in scholarships to 217 undergraduate students from various departments on campus.
"It's a great opportunity for me," said Stephens, who is applying for medical school.