EVOLUTION OF THE FIST

12.31.2012

 

Did you ever wonder why our hands are shaped the way there are?  Compared to those of other apes, our thumbs are long the palms and fingers are short.  Scientists have a variety of ideas as to why they may have evolved the way they did.  Of course the thumb allows us much more dexterity and the ability to make tools.

In the Journal of Experimental Biology, details have been publish by Michael H. Morgan and David R. Carrier, that “fighting may have shaped the evolution of the human hand”.  The researchers found that the structure of the fist provides support that increases the ability of the knuckles to transmit “punching” force.  They did test to see if you can strike harder with an open hand or a fist.  They found that there really wasn’t  much difference in the force of the strikes, but they did find that when using the fist the surface target is smaller, so there is more stress from a fist strike.  The force per area is higher in a fist strike and that is what causes tissue damage.

The team found that making a fist provides support for the bones of the hand, and  it increased the stiffness of the knuckles by a factor of four.  It also doubled the ability of the bones of the fingers to transfer force more effectively while protecting the hand.  In other words, the fist is a great fighting tool.

I love articles that confirm what we already know from our training in karate.  When we focus our power on the first two knuckles, it is the most effective way to punch. The old Masters were spot on again and passed this knowledge on to us.  Of course a karate punch has more to do with brain power than muscle power.  Being able to coordinate the punching action with a high level of coordination that most untrained people can’t produce (learning how to control movements by repetition of basics).

I’ve always wondered about the types of kung-fu that tried to teach us to fight like an animal:  a tiger, crane, snake, or even a praying mantis. While we can learn from these styles and take some of their movements, we just don’t have the fangs or claws or even the power these animals have.  Karate came from man and teaches us to fight and defend ourselves as men.  The fist is our natural weapon.  It evolved  for fighting.

Although, I did find another article in the Journal of Antiquity, where archaeologists found that beer arose 11,500 years ago……..mm mm.  Maybe our hand was shaped for holding a glass of beer…

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   See ya in the dojo!