The “Double Pulse”: How to generate maximum force
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In striking martial arts the ultimate goal is to generate power sufficient enough to render an opponent unconscious. How can one generate enough force to accomplish this task?
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In terms of striking muscle contract to initiate the strike and create force, however a maintained contraction will slow the strike. To generate maximal force one has to contract to generate the movement and immediately relax to minimize ‘stiffness” during the follow through. Immediately before contact the contraction occurs again to create maximum force. Dr. Stu McGill refers to this as the “double pulse”.
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McGill discovered that fighters who generate the most force are ones who have a high rate of contraction AND a high rate of relaxation. “The rate of muscle contraction, and the rate of relaxation, determines the strike speed and impact force. -Dr. Stu McGill
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A good example of the double pulse, is @michaelvenompage ‘s knockout at @bellatormma . Page is an excellent example of a fighter who can generate power and relax at an alarmingly high rate.
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Reference:
McGill, S.M., Chaimberg, J., Frost, D., Fenwick, C. (2010) The double peak: How elite MMA fighters develop speed and strike force. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 24(2): 348-357.