Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Discussion on the three big Chinese internals, Yiquan, Bajiquan, Piguazhang and other similar styles.

Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Yeung on Mon Sep 10, 2018 1:31 am

Oral presentation at the 23rd annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Sport Science at the Cutting Edge, 4th – 7th July 2018, Dublin, Ireland, Book of Abstract, p. 566

Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Yeung, Y

United Kingdom Pangration Athlima Federation

Abstract:

Non-concentric Martial Arts are those arts that claim to be not using any concentric muscle contraction or known as “brute force” by the practitioners of Internal Chinese Martial Arts. The aim of this research project is to identify and validate the various non-concentric techniques in Martial Arts. Non-concentric techniques are those movements using eccentric muscle contraction and restored muscle elasticity according to the Yin Yang theory of passive and active muscles actions.

The research methodology is qualitative exploratory with a panel of long time practitioners and teachers of Taijiquan, Qigong (breathing exercise), and other exercise and martial arts. The non-concentric techniques were identified from the review of literatures and videos, and discussions in various internet forums. The panel of experts verified these techniques by practice, observation, and discussion to ascertain their consistency and can be correctly performed by anyone.

The result is established a list of techniques identified and verified as follows: passive stances with various distribution of body weight; rotation of the crotch in moving between forward stance and backward stance; movements of the rib cage which included open, close, ascent and decent; push and pull by arm rotation; connection and coordination between joints; transitions between movements.

This research project enabled further research in isolated muscle activities for performance enhancement.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby windwalker on Fri Sep 14, 2018 5:58 pm

Yeung wrote:
This research project enabled further research in isolated muscle activities for performance enhancement.


Sounds interesting you might want to research what has been written about bagua

excerpts from the Pa-Kua Chang Journal Vol. 2, No. 6 Sept/Oct 1992

There are several neurophysiological consequences of this stretching which are relevant to listening energy. Muscle spindle (located in muscle fiber), Golgi tendon
Sinking Sinking
Figure 1 - Elements of the Pa Kua Posture
organs (found in tendons close to their muscular origin) and certain other receptors in the skin are all stimulated by stretching the muscles. By maintaining this graded activation of receptors, the Pa Kua practitioner, upon contact, can detect slight changes in the force or position of an opponent. This occurs because more receptors are stimulated above the threshold levels or the receptors that are already stimulated fire at faster rates than with passive stretching alone.

In addition, the stretch reflex, which maintains muscle tonus, “increases the tension of selected groups of muscles in order to provide a background of postural tone on which voluntary movements can be superimposed.”

(Kandel, p. 18). In our case, the voluntary movements will be the learned Pa Kua techniques to be executed at the desired angle of collision to neutralize the oncoming Force.

Sticky energy is the ability to catch an opponent’s strike and maintain contact with it without gripping with the fingers. It may sound amazing and supernatural, but it is a normal physical activity which can be explained by Newton’s mechanical laws, the law of conservation of momentum, the law of resultant force and the ratio of friction.


When the force of an opponent’s strike is met by an elastic force created by the extension of the Pa Kua practitioner’s extremities, a force equal and opposite to the strike will result.

The force is not met head on, however, but is evaded in a circular path using the Pa Kua footwork. This force is combined with the spiraling upward corkscrew movement of the practitioner’s intercepting arm which unites his own force with that of the strike, or, as we say, “borrow the enemy’s energy”.

The arm then corkscrews down and the ox-tongue palm flattens out to create enough friction to adhere to the striking force. By calculating the angle of collision, the striking force can be redirected and the resultant vector will conserve the force of the strike (Fig. 2). Combining these movements with the kinesthetic sensitivity and

the concentration of mind and ch’i results in an ability unique to the internal schools - sticky power.


Yet, the study of human anatomy shows that our bipedal structure and upright posture are designed for the initiation of forward movement rather than speed or stability.

Our centers of gravity are high above the ground and our feet provide a small supporting base. We can increase our stability along either the front-to-back or side-to-side axes by increasing the distance between our feet, but an increase on one axis causes a decrease on the other and vice versa. When in motion we must constantly move our feet quickly so that the supporting base can catch the falling center of gravity before it is too late.


In doing research for my own work
I've found many of my own conclusions echoed in what others have noted in bagua.
Quite interesting
Last edited by windwalker on Mon Sep 17, 2018 6:24 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Bugang on Sat Sep 15, 2018 8:42 am

Yeung wrote:Oral presentation at the 23rd annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Sport Science at the Cutting Edge, 4th – 7th July 2018, Dublin, Ireland, Book of Abstract, p. 566

Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Yeung, Y

United Kingdom Pangration Athlima Federation

.


Great!
Will you write a paper on this?
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Yeung on Mon Sep 17, 2018 4:45 pm

Reference:

Yeung, Y.C.. Characteristic of Mawangdui Daoyin Shu, IMAS Quarterly, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Winter 2014/2015
Yeung, Y.C., An Introduction to Adhering in Chinese Martial Arts, IMAS Quarterly, Vol. 3, Issue 4, Autumn 2014
Yeung, Y.C., Ba Gua Shuai Da, IMAS Quarterly, Vol.2 Issue 3, Summer 2013
Yeung, Y.C., Non-concentric Exercise Model from Chinese Martial Arts, IMAS Quarterly, Vol.2 Issue 2 Spring 2013
Yeung, Y.C., The Five-element Theory of Xingyiquan, IMAS Quarterly, Vol.2 Issue 1 Winter 2013
Yeung, Y.C., Classical Theory of Kinetic Chain, IMAS Yearbook 2012
Yeung, Y. C., The Art and Science of Taijiquan, IMAS Quarterly, Vol.1 Issue 3 Summer 2012
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby middleway on Sun Sep 30, 2018 12:52 am

Yeung, will you produce a paper on this? Or other material we could have a look at.

Sounds great!

Thankyou.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Yeung on Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:45 am

middleway wrote:Yeung, will you produce a paper on this? Or other material we could have a look at.

Sounds great!

Thankyou.

Thank you for your interest, I am writing a paper on Taijiquan as a non-concentric martial art with the hope of publishing it in the European Journal of Sport Science. I will post it if it is published but that will take a while. In the meantime I will post my past papers for review in this forum.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby aamc on Tue Oct 02, 2018 4:17 pm

"Non-concentric Martial Arts" I have no idea what this means.

Martial arts that don't have circles? Martial arts that don't have centres? What does this mean?
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby origami_itto on Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:15 pm

I was wondering that, too. I mean it sounds technical but exercise is either concentric, eccentric, or isometric. If something is not concentric then it's either eccentric or isometric, so which category are you putting these under?
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby middleway on Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:10 pm

Non-concentric Martial Arts are those arts that claim to be not using any concentric muscle contraction


From the opening post.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Yeung on Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:02 am

oragami_itto wrote:I was wondering that, too. I mean it sounds technical but exercise is either concentric, eccentric, or isometric. If something is not concentric then it's either eccentric or isometric, so which category are you putting these under?


The elastic component is not mentioned in old school text books. And it is often confused with terms used in physics, move away from the center and without a center, etc. It is just a interpretation of "use no brute force", and brute force is defined as concentric contraction of muscle. Any martial art that claims use no brute force can be classified as non-concentric martial art. The problem is how to differentiate between eccentric and concentric movements. It is a bit more complex in isometric as it can either resisting a weight or pulling by a weight.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby cloudz on Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:19 am

Is it possible to simply walk without using concentric muscle activation ?

I think the whole idea of this might be flawed from the outset. You can't mash different paradigms together trying to prove some ancient turn of phrase with modern terminology.

The writers of "no use of brute strength" at the time had no conception of concentric and eccentric phases of muscle activation, as they apply today and how the terminology is commonly used and understood - today.

You can't walk or move or do any movement discipline without a muscle somewhere shortening in the process, and therefore being in a concentric phase.

Whether you extand an arm or retract an arm in BOTH movements your arm simultaniously performs BOTH eccentric and eccentric phases of activation. The bicep and the tricep perform opposing roles in both cases. In extension the bicep lengthens (eccentric), tricep shortens (concentric), in retraction the bicep shortens (concentric) and the tricep lengthens (eccentric).

Whether you use a small minimal amount of muscle force to move your arm or a bigger more powerful force does not make any difference.

Why do you link either of these to the meaning of "brute strength" as spoken in the classics - on what basis, and on what basis should others, like myself.. base that assertion on ?

The whole exercise seems futile to me - with all due respect, you surely could spend the time better if you can't give good example of why what I have said here is wrong or does not apply to your thesis. I think you really should consider approaching this whole thing from another angle and get away from the denial of concentric movement.. The elastic component of musculature is recognised nowadays as is the relationship with plyometric exercise for example (to the best of my knowledge, which is not great); trying to divorce or exclude any of it from the concentric phase of muscle activation, or its terminology, is an impossibility by the very definition of the terms as they apply to the body and given the way in which the body, in fact, moves and works.
Last edited by cloudz on Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:43 am, edited 6 times in total.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Trick on Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:18 am

Awww, Back to the drawing board to rework an new mysterious scientific explanation, there just must be one...
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby marvin8 on Wed Oct 03, 2018 11:58 am

Yeung wrote:The result is established a list of techniques identified and verified as follows: passive stances with various distribution of body weight; rotation of the crotch in moving between forward stance and backward stance; movements of the rib cage which included open, close, ascent and decent; push and pull by arm rotation; connection and coordination between joints; transitions between movements.

This research project enabled further research in isolated muscle activities for performance enhancement.

This sounds similar to "external" techniques using the kinetic chain and other movements. After analyzing (e.g., biomechanics, physics, etc.), I wonder how similar the movements actually are.

cloudz wrote:. . . The whole exercise seems futile to me - with all due respect, you surely could spend the time better if you can't give good example of why what I have said here is wrong or does not apply to your thesis. I think you really should consider approaching this whole thing from another angle and get away from the denial of concentric movement.. The elastic component of musculature is recognised nowadays as is the relationship with plyometric exercise for example (to the best of my knowledge, which is not great); trying to divorce or exclude any of it from the concentric phase of muscle activation, or its terminology, is an impossibility by the very definition of the terms as they apply to the body and given the way in which the body, in fact, moves and works.

Some of this may relate to the OP topic.

Excerpts from "Stretch-Shortening Cycle," https://www.scienceforsport.com/stretch ... ing-cycle/:
Science for Sport wrote:Though there is controversy surrounding the mechanics responsible for the performance improvements observed from using the SSC, it is likely to be a combination of the active state and the storage of elastic energy within the tendon. Due to the negative effects of the electromechanical delay, it may be suggested that training methods which improve muscular pre-activity, such as plyometric and ballistic training, may be beneficial for improving athletic performance. . . .

Mechanisms of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC)

There are numerous neurophysiological mechanisms thought to contribute to the SSC, some of which include: storage of elastic energy (18, 19, 20, 21), involuntary nervous processes (22, 23), active state (1, 24), length-tension characteristics (25, 26), pre-activity tension (27, 28) and enhanced motor coordination (1, 24). Despite this large list, it is commonly agreed that there are three primary mechanics responsible for the performance enhancing effects of the SSC (2).

These three mechanisms are:

1. Storage of Elastic Energy
2. Neurophysiological Model
3. Active State

Storage of Elastic Energy

The concept of elastic energy is similar to that of a stretched rubber band. When the band is stretched there is a build-up of stored energy, which when released causes the band to rapidly contract back to its original shape. The amount of stored elastic energy (sometimes referred to as ‘strain’ or ‘potential’ energy) is potentially equal to the applied force and induced deformation (5). In other words, the amount of force used to stretch the band, should be equivalent to the amount of force produced by the band in order to return to its pre-stretched state.

In humans, this stretch and storage of elastic energy is instead placed upon the muscles and tendons during movement. However, due to the elastic properties of the tendon, it is commonly agreed that the tendon is the primary site for the storage of the elastic energy (29, 30). Unlike muscles, the tendons cannot be voluntarily contracted, and as a result they can only remain in their state of tension.


This means that the muscle must contract and stiffen prior to the beginning of the SSC during ground contact – known as ‘muscular pre-activity’. The muscle must then remain contracted/ stiff during the first two processes of the SSC (eccentric and amortisation phases) in order to transmit the isometric forces into the tendon. This causes the deformation/ lengthening of the tendon and the development of the storage elastic energy.

During the concentric phase of the SSC (often referred to as the ‘positive acceleration’ phase), the muscle is then able to concentrically contract and provide additional propulsive force (2). Failing to stiffen during the eccentric and amortisation phases, means the performance enhancing effect of the SSC will be lost and the joint would likely collapse. This demonstrates the importance of muscle stiffness during the SSC and its ability to improve performance. It also suggests that athletes’ with higher levels of muscular strength can absorb more force (i.e. higher rate of loading), and therefore have a better ability to use the SSC.

An abundance of research has demonstrated that stronger athletes have a better ability to store elastic energy over weaker individuals (31, 32, 33). Elite athletes from both power- and endurance-based sports have also been demonstrated to possess a superior ability to store elastic energy (31, 32). Furthermore, efficient utilisation of the SSC during sprinting has shown to recover approximately 60% of total mechanical energy, suggesting the other 40% is recovered by metabolic processes (34, 35). In aerobic long-distance running, higher SSC abilities have also been shown to enhance running economy – suggesting that athletes with a better SSC capacity can conserve more energy whilst running (33, 36, 37). This indicates the importance of the SSC for both energy release and energy conservation. However, this storage of the elastic energy within the tendon cannot last forever, and has been shown to have a half-life of 850 milliseconds (38).

Neurophysiological Model

The muscles and tendons contain sensory receptors known as ‘proprioceptors’, these send information to the brain about changes in length, tension and joint angles (39). The proprioceptors within the muscle are known as ‘muscle spindles’, whilst those in the tendon are called ‘Golgi tendon organs’.

When a muscle is forcefully lengthened, the muscle spindles engage a stretch-reflex response to prevent over-lengthening and limit the possibility of injury. The engagement of these muscle spindles is thought to cause an increased recruitment of motor units and/ or an increased rate coding effect (40, 41). An excitation of either or both of these neural responses would lead to a concurrent increase in concentric force output and may therefore explain the performance enhancing effects of the SSC.

The increase in concentric force output would therefore then lead to an enhanced power output during sporting movements (e.g. jump), and thus may improve performance. However, many studies have reported no increase in muscle activation after a pre-stretch activity (e.g. CMJ) when compared to non-pre-stretch activity (e.g. SJ) (26, 42, 43). This suggests that muscle spindle reflex activity does not have any impact on the increased force by the SSC (1).

Furthermore, when a muscle is forcefully lengthened, the Golgi tendon organs (GTO) engage an opposite stretch-reflex response to the muscle spindles. Their role is to inhibit (i.e. prevent) the excitation of the muscle spindles during forceful over-lengthening to prevent the possibility of injury (5). Though this may seem as a bizarre trade-off between the muscle spindles and the GTO, the muscle spindles activate when muscle-tendon unit is forcefully lengthened, whilst the GTO activate when the forceful lengthening becomes too large (39).

Due to the inhibitory stretch-reflex response of the GTO, it is thought that this may counteract the contraction action of the muscle spindles. If so, this would mean that the GTO inhibits the high-muscular stiffness needed during the SSC and therefore reduces the concentric force output and subsequent performance (2). In fact, research has shown that muscle activation levels – and therefore muscle stiffness – have been reduced during the early phases of the SSC in individuals who are unaccustomed to intense SSC movements (28).

Interestingly however, 4-months of plyometric training has been shown to reduce this GTO inhibitory effect (disinhibition) and increase muscular pre-activity and muscle-tendon stiffness (27). As a result, it appears that effective training methods (e.g. plyometrics) can reduce or even eliminate the potential negative effects observed from the GTO inhibitory effect.

Active State

The active state is the period of time in which force can be developed during the eccentric and amortization phases of the SSC before any concentric contraction occurs. For example, during the ‘countermovement’ or ‘dropping’ action of the CMJ, the active state is developed during the eccentric and amortisation phases. The unpinning belief is that exercises which possess longer eccentric and amortization phases of the SSC will allow more time for the formation of cross-bridges, therefore enhancing joint moments, and thus improving concentric force output. Increasing the amount of force, and the time available for force to be developed, typically leads to a concurrent increase in the impulse (Impulse = Force x Time) (24, 44). In other words, increasing the force application will lead to improvements in power output and therefore athletic performance.

There is widespread agreement to suggest that the active state is largest contributor to the performance enhancing effects of the SSC, as it allows for a greater build-up of force prior to concentric shortening (1, 24, 44, 2). . . .


Excerpts from "American Top Team’s Strength Coach Talks About What It Takes to Develop Stronger MMA Fighters,"
Phil Darue on wrote:. . . Depending on how long I have I will start the camp with a structured block of hypertrophy and joint integrity training phase. This will include slow eccentric movement exercises and higher volume sets. While working on eccentric strength and plyometric exercises to prime there joints for high impact collisions they will be experiencing skills training (sparring, grappling). After a few weeks we then go onto a strength block phase where we are trying to push the envelope of maximal strength output. Work is primarily in the 85-90% of 1 rep max range with sets of 3-5 repetitions.

All exercises will focus on 6 major movement qualities:

• Squat
• Hip Hinge
• Push
• Pull
• Carry
• CORE Work

With these exercises we cover all aspects of physical preparation with a general to specific periodization model. In the beginning of the strength phase we are more general fitness working on overall work capacity and movement efficiency. At the end of the strength phase the focus becomes more specific to the sport. So exercises we choose will have a higher carryover to the physiological demands of the sport. For instance a Zercher Squat, Med Ball Double Under Carry, & DB Hip Bridge Floor Press will carry over well into the competition from a physical preparation standpoint.

Image. . .


Phil Daru
Published on Jun 11, 2018

Taking you through the full camp with Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Dustin Poirier for their fights at UFC Fight Night Calgary. Working off a Triphasic peaking block for MMA, this is the eccentric phase of training 7 weeks out from the fight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrGBd-k56ZM

Excerpt from "6 Sure-Fire Eccentric Exercises to Build (and Rebuild) Athletic Monsters," https://simplifaster.com/articles/eccentric-exercises/:
Carl Valle wrote:Eccentric exercise is making a comeback in the trends, but in reality it never left those that stay true to principles of performance. I include some eccentric exercises as a way to help reduce injuries, increase power, and build muscle fast. I don’t do much in-season eccentric work, but during the General Preparation Phase (GPP) eccentric training is a great investment to athletes. I am always cautious when adding or changing things, but after observing changes physically with some athletes in Europe I decided to add more eccentric work this off-season for two reasons. I wanted to know how effective a realistic inclusion of eccentric work was with the sport of soccer and sports with small preparation times and see the exact biological changes to my program. What I have learned was the precision of eccentric work is a very fine line, and it’s essential to measure and monitor.

Eccentric exercises are movements that lengthen muscle under tension, usually creating an adaptation that improves performance. Great interest in this type of training is making a comeback thanks to the work of Cal Dietz, but earlier work of Ian King who promoted a structured tempo of training really accelerated the popularity of manipulating contractile dynamics of training. What we do know is that research is currently pointing to signaling of the organelles and biochemistry of the body to turn on genes, thus creating morphological and biochemical changes. Be warned though, not all speed athletes will benefit from eccentric work and some athletes don’t handle extreme eccentrics. Resilience is a buzzword right now, and it’s professional to understand that durability is about a lifestyle, not an exercise or HRV monitoring. For athletes to be taking advantage of eccentrics, some prerequisite requirements are needed, or you will trash athletes. I have pushed the limits with athletes and have some humbling experiences with training. Here are some lessons I have learned the hard way and suggest you don’t make my mistakes. . . .
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby cloudz on Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:18 am

eccentric phase/ exercise and or 'the active state' are important and interesting areas to explore in the world of training.. However it can't be one without the other ultimately; whether a TCC system or anything else.. It's Yin and Yang man!
Last edited by cloudz on Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:23 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Biomechanics of Non-concentric Martial Arts

Postby Yeung on Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:39 am

Just looking at some information on standing up sleeping, and that might explain the technique of passive stance or sinking into your stance as follows:

Sleep involves a general relaxation of the muscles, including those responsible for keeping a person standing upright. Humans simply cannot lock out their supportive joints long enough to allow for hours of uninterrupted sleep while remaining vertical. ... I actually can only sleep standing up.

Sleeping upright is advantageous for large animals because they would be slow to lumber to their feet if attacked. For smaller animals the reduction in leg springiness outweighs this benefit. Horses, zebras and elephants sleep standing up. Cows can too, but mostly choose to lie down.

Now, if you manage in some way to prevent your joints from bending by e.g. using braces and leaning against some wall, you could technically fall in sleep and thus sleep while standing. This will add pressure to your spinal cord, hip and leg joints and thus it would not be very advisable. Another problem is that gravity will pull blood downwards to your feet, like it already does when you're awake and walking. When you're lying down, the veins in your feet get a chance to recover from all the pressure. If you don't do this, your feet might swell up causing damage in your feet that could eventually lead to amputation. So, sleeping while standing is not a good idea.
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