The Science of Body Mechanics and Motion

The human body is, in one sense, a very sophisticated multilevel machine. At its very core it is series of interconnected bones which is defined as its skeleton. The bones of the skeleton are connected together by a series of joints or levers which gives the skeleton the ability to bend the bones of the body. These joints are located throughout the body and are what gives our head, hips, ankles and wrists the ability to swivel, and our fingers, elbows and knees the ability to bend. Attached to the skeleton are muscles, fibers and ligaments in varying patterns, sizes and lengths, which gives this skeleton the ability to lift its arm, to walk and run, to grasp things in our hands and move and be flexible in all the ways that we accustomed to. The way, combination and angle at which these muscles and ligaments are attached to the various bones of the skeleton determines how much force, at what angle and where that force needs to be directed for the smooth and efficient movement to occur. For most healthy people the grasping of a fork, walking, the lifting of an arm or throwing a baseball is painless and occurs with little or no thought. The scientific study of human motion, our ability to move and control our movements, to gab and pull, bend, lift and turn, to do all those things which we take for granted is called kinesiology. The study of the actual mechanics of how that motion occurs, how much force and where and at what angle that force needs to be applied to a particular skeletal or muscle group is call biomechanics, and in this case, the biomechanics of human motion. Any study of the martial arts would be incomplete without an understanding of these two fields of study. We use the mechanical principles of these sciences every day in almost every one of our daily activities, even doing something as simple as opening a door.

Doors come in many sizes and weights. There are hollow core doors and doors that are solid. Doors made from metal, wood and some even filled with cement. However, even a heavy door can be opened easily. Several variables will determine how easily. The position of the hinges on the door connecting it to the doorframe, the position of the hinges on the door frame connecting it to the door, the angle of those hinges joining the door to the doorframe, and where exactly on the door is it pushed when we wish to open it are all relevant when we attempt to open the door. It is the connection and the position of the hinges which allow the door to hang straight, to put it in a balanced position. If the hinges are not connected properly, not at the correct angle from the door frame to the door and visa versa the door does not hang straight and it becomes more difficult to open. Balance and unbalance is created by position. Even if the door is balanced, where we push on the door is as important as the door being balanced. All doors are manufactured with the doorknob being placed at a right angle (90 Degrees) to the mid point between the two hinges and at the exact opposite side of the door as to where the hinges have been placed. It is because the angle and placement of the doorknob are mechanically correct that we can use the balance of the door to open it without effort.

In the biomechanics of the martial arts, it is the position and angle of the tai sabaki that brings unbalance to an uke, and the mechanically correct angle and placement of tori’s hands on a joint or muscle group which causes the pain and lose of center which allows the tori to absorb, assimilate and counter the uke’s attack. There is a mechanically correct position for each action in the martial arts. Without an understanding of this position the more strength is needed to overcome the strength and balance of the uki. Using the principles of kinesiology and human biomechanics, tori needs little or no strength in creating the most efficient and powerful application of his technique.