Kinetic Energy

Energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. In physics, the kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.[1] It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes.

The adjective kinetic has its roots in the Greek word κίνησις (kinesis) meaning motion. Gottfried Leibniz and Johann Bernoulli, described kinetic energy as the living force. Penetration depth was proportional to the square of their impact speed.

Energy occurs in many forms, including chemical energy, thermal energy, electromagnetic radiation, gravitational energy, electric energy, elastic energy, nuclear energy, and rest energy. These can be categorized in two main classes: potential energy and kinetic energy.

In physics, potential energy is the energy of an object or a system due to the position of the body or the arrangement of the particles of the system. Potential energy is associated with a set of forces that act on a body in a way that depends only on the body's position in space. If the work of forces of this type acting on a body that moves from a start to an end position is defined only by these two positions and does not depend on the trajectory of the body between the two, then there is a function known as a potential that can be evaluated at the two positions to determine this work.

The more formal definition is that potential energy is the energy difference between the energy of an object in a given position and its energy at a reference position.

It is these two forces, i.e. kinetic and potential, that govern force, i.e. energy transference due to both potentiality and kinetically. The position of one body in relation to another for potentiality and the movement of one or both bodies that provide energy that is transferred into force upon contact be it a fist, foot or elbow, etc.

The kinetic energy is equal to the mass multiplied by the square of the speed, multiplied by the constant 1/2. In formula form:

Now we can go into a lot of formula's similar to this one to explain how one achieves proper energy levels to apply force in stopping an attack, etc. but in truth the end reality is that the bodies movement creates a level of energy that is transferred into the target. It means that a combination of things provide maximum energy levels that result in greater force.

In a nutshell the explanation of the boxer's step punch tells us that when you move the body while adhering to the fundamental principles of martial systems, i.e. posture, alignment, movement, body weight, coordination of body parts, etc., in conjunction with the movement of the body over a distance will create the most power, penetration and transference of said energy or power into a target. Look at it as the difference between a 22cal round vs. a 44 magnum round along with powder, barrel length, etc.

In martial arts look at it as a forward motion of a heavy body with perfect timing of forward movement to stance or kamae positioning, leg, hips, torso, upper body, arms, hands, the speed of the forward movement along with alignment, strength of muscles, bone, cartilage, tendons and finally the lack of movement of the receiving target, etc. If all things are applied optimally you get a large amount of energy transference into the type of force that ends the fight.

In reality tho it is extremely difficult to make all these things come to a solid and complete conclusion ergo why boxing matches and fights tend to go the distance depending on other factors of both the boxing model and the real life model of violence, i.e. social or asocial, etc.

Even this simplified explanation is too darn long. Take it to the dojo floor, the training hall floor, and use heavy bags, makiwara, padded shields and sparring with body armor to really find out just how hard it can be to use these concepts under the influence of emotional turmoil and physical/mental chemical effects on the mind-body-spirit.