3

Consider a right punch (cross) from boxing (1):

enter image description here

hip extension at the rear leg causes a forward momentum of the body that has to be countered by an extension moment at the front knee. This hip extension is the source of much of the power of the punch, especially in the start of the punch.

However a punch is not a forward motion, as much as a rotation both of the pelvis and the thoracic spine:

enter image description here

If we compare the foot position in the final position of the punch with the starting foot position: enter image description here

we notice that the rear leg has moved from external rotation into internal rotation. This is performed as a pivot on the ball of the rear foot. During this phase of the punch the hip extensors and the internal hip rotators of the rear leg work together to produce the hip rotation. This phase (which precedes the images) is called "hip drive".

The phase when the punch is being delivered is called the "brake". During this phase the boxer has to counter forces trying to push him out of his stance. The pelvic rotation wants to rotate his front foot counter clockwise. He has to counter this by applying an internal hip rotator momentum (isometric) on the front leg. Likewise the pivoting of the rear leg causes a rotational momentum that wants to rotate his rear foot even further counter clockwise. He has to counter this with an external hip rotator momentum (isometric) on the rear leg:

enter image description here

The biomechanics of a javelin throw (2) is quite similar to those of a boxing punch:

"The right hip acts as the “accelerator”, and the left side acts as the “brakes.”"

"The acceleration of the right hip comes from acetabular/femoral internal rotation (AFIR) and extension."

"The brakes of the hip drive are left side AFIR, abduction, and extension."

This therefore seems like a fundamental human movement pattern. Typically this movement is not trained in common strength training programs. Most other fundamental human movement patterns like the hinge and squat are. Following the philosophy of "use it or loose it" I think this may be a bad thing.

I am thinking that this maybe causes weak hips which in turn causes tight hips?

Should one incorporate rotation exercises into strength training? If so, how?

Further during running hip rotation also play an important role. However when running the thoracic rotation is in the opposite direction of the pelvic rotation (3):

"Rotation of the hips (pelvis) in the transverse plane (think: spinning around in circles) is the key to running faster and more efficiently."

"If there is minimal transverse hip rotation, the role of the glute max is minimized."

(1) The Biomechanics of a Knockout Punch

(2) Dynamics and Demands of the Hip Drive and Block in Javelin Throw

(3) It’s All in the Hips

3
  • 1
    No time to write up an answer but FWIW I've recently changed my opinion to include rotational strength as a fundamental movement pattern, in addition to push/pull/squat/hinge/locomote and single-limb stuff. Mar 10, 2021 at 10:59
  • Thank you for that info Dave. BTW I still suspect that this movement pattern is related to the gait (locomote) pattern. I speculate that farmer carries may provide sufficient internal/external hip rotation strength for most non fighters. That could explain why people like Dan John (shotputting) and Eric Cressey (baseball) advocate it.
    – Andy
    Mar 10, 2021 at 12:11
  • 1
    That definitely could be true, especially if single-leg and single-arm movements (such as old-timey strongman stuff like bent presses and windmills) are included. Mar 10, 2021 at 15:41

1 Answer 1

2

[A boxing straight punch,] like in the gait it seems that when one leg is internal rotation the other one is in external rotation.

This photograph actually shows the rear leg in internal rotation. His knee is pointed forwards, whereas external rotation would have it pointing outwards. If the rear foot was planted with the heel down, then the movement of the hips would cause external rotation of the femur, but it's much more common in boxing to pivot on the ball of the rear foot, effectively internally rotating the rear leg in compensation for the movement of the hips.

It's also worth noting that during the strike, the internal rotation of the front (left) leg does not come from the left hip internal rotator, it comes from extension of the right hip. You can experiment with this yourself by trying to throw a straight right with your rear foot lifted off the ground, causing the rotation of the torso to come entirely from the left hip internal rotator. This is a very different feeling, and a much weaker movement.

It therefore seems to me that the a right punch from boxing is closely related to the gait?

No, because they only appear related if you ignore all the other hip movements occurring at the same time that differ completely between these two movements, and focussing only one one particular articulation within a three degree of freedom joint. In gait, you have the pelvis in a mostly stable movement (i.e. not undergoing acceleration), with the legs moving through unloaded hip flexion followed by loaded hip extension, with a barely perceivable. In a punch, you have the balls of the feet fixed in position extension of the rear hip is used to drive a powerful rotation in the torso.

I would also think that shotputting, throwing a baseball, hitting a baseball etc. would biomechanically be the same movement as a right punch?

Shotputting is a very different movement, involving spinning of the whole body while hopping from foot to foot. Throwing a baseball and swinging a bat are different because they don't have the requirement to withdraw the punch and return the the starting, stable position, so a pitcher or batter can let the swing take them off balance and shift their weight entirely onto one leg.

This therefore seems like a fundamental human movement pattern.

To reiterate, not if you've isolated hip rotation from the other movements which it is occurring in concert with. Then it's just an isolated articulation.

Typically this movement is not trained in common strength training programs. Most other fundamental human movement patterns like the hinge and squat are. Following the philosophy of "use it or loose it" I think this may be a bad thing.

It's pretty rare for any sport to actually require loading of the hip rotators (recalling that the hip rotation in boxing is performed by the much stronger hip extensors, not the hip rotators), so hip rotator strength is not a concern for most athletes. In those that do require rotation, which is pretty much only those that require rotation with one leg off the ground, they'll generally get far better training from just performing their sport than they would from deliberate resistance training of the rotators. E.g. a kickboxer would use their internal rotators in throwing a roundhouse kick, but they wouldn't get a good training effect from swinging a kettlebell, because the speed of contraction would be so different. They'd get a far better training effect just from kicking a heavy bag.

I am thinking that this maybe causes weak hips which in turn causes tight hips?

Weak muscles do not cause tight muscles.

Should one incorporate rotation exercises into strength training?

No. In the words of Anthony Kiedis, that would be a waste of time.

3
  • I misunderstood. The rotations in the image are momentums. However as shown in the image, and described in the cited article, the internal rotators of the left leg are working hard to prevent counter clockwise rotation of the left foot caused by shifting the weight from back leg to front leg. You can experience this yourself by placing left foot on a A4 paper and notice yourself spinning out of position as you deliver the punch. This seems to indicate that the internal rotators of the hips are crucial in braking such as when delivering a punch in boxing or changing direction when running.
    – Andy
    Mar 9, 2021 at 14:39
  • Also as you noted in the image the rear leg is in internal rotation. However in the starting position of the punch the rear leg is in external rotation. One then pivot and push from the rear leg. This pivot is in fact an internal rotation of the rear hip and this is the "snap" in the punch. This is in fact quite similar to a javelin throw where internal rotation of the rear hip helps generate hip drive and internal rotation of the front hip is used in the block: : just-fly-sports.com/…
    – Andy
    Mar 9, 2021 at 22:09
  • David, I value your critique. Please update your answer to take into account the changes I have done to the question. As it stands I think your answer is fundamentally wrong in assuming that movement into internal hip rotation is done passively. Instead the hip internal rotators play an important part both concentrically during the hip drive and isometrically during the brake.
    – Andy
    Mar 10, 2021 at 9:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.