StrongFighter
Green Belt
What are the best scientific and most visual books that comes highly recommended in the martial art that you are studying ? Any style is welcome.
Best Scientific Martial Art books ?
- Thread starter StrongFighter
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OP
OP
StrongFighter
Green Belt
I am sure there must be some martial art books that go into great scientific detail.
Just not sure which ones to buy and this thread is good for another martial artists too.
Just not sure which ones to buy and this thread is good for another martial artists too.
Phillip Starr wrote a very nice one; see this thread.
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
What kind of "scientific" information related to the martial arts are you hoping to uncover?
You might try getting ahold of a college level text on anatomy and physiology. Better yet, enroll in the class if you have the ability to do so. If you can get into a class that includes lab time dissecting a cadaver, even better. This kind of academic endeavor might be particularly fruitful if you also have a knowledgeable martial arts instructor, and you are able to sort of cross-reference the material and lessons between the two venues.
You might try getting ahold of a college level text on anatomy and physiology. Better yet, enroll in the class if you have the ability to do so. If you can get into a class that includes lab time dissecting a cadaver, even better. This kind of academic endeavor might be particularly fruitful if you also have a knowledgeable martial arts instructor, and you are able to sort of cross-reference the material and lessons between the two venues.
OP
OP
StrongFighter
Green Belt
That is not what I meant by scientific martial arts although that is a very interesting idea.
Short of going to school to become a mortician.
Here is the Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body medical textbook on line for free, as the book is so thick and very expensive.
http://www.bartleby.com/107/
Here are some examples thinking along the types of scientific martial art books that would be ...
A guy who is doing martial arts for example finds he is kicking faster with more power but he does not know why or how it works ? He just goes with what works. He is doing a hit or miss workout.
A different guy who wants to study the scientific mechanics of how and why the hand chops, kicks or punches are becoming more powerful with more speed.
What kind of books would he pick up on " scientific martial arts " that improve his physical capabilities ?
Phillip Starr's book is a good start. I am buying that book. Thanks.
What else comes highly recommended for studying martial arts of the scientific kind ?
DavidCC
Master of Arts
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Well, personally I feel that the best scientific knowledge you will find to augment your martial arts training is a solid understanding of human anatomy and physiology and how the different body systems and components operate. Understanding how they work and are interconnected can help you understand how to effectively disrupt them in an opponent, as well as capitalize on your own training methods.
I've seen some people get all "scientific" by delving into areas like physics, and personally I'm not convinced this is a worthwhile endeavor. I don't believe it's possible to capture the physics equation that best describes the perfect punch, and even if you could, I doubt it would be meaningful. Pure physics isn't meant to be applied to the human body in the same way it is applied to things like celestial bodies. While there may be some level of truth to be gleaned on a purely theoretical level, I just don't believe there is much practical or useful application of that theory that can be readily applied to your training. And often what little amount may be usefully applied, is often available thru simple common sense, or is readily available thru common experience among practitioners and teachers. While training in the martil arts can be very technical and require a lot of precision and diligent effort, it just ain't rocket science the way some people want to believe it is.
If you have an enquiring sort of mind, go ahead and explore this kind of thing. But I wouldn't hold out for any groundbreaking revelations from the effort. A thorough understanding of the human body would by far be the better topic of interest, in my opinion.
Ninjamom
2nd Black Belt
"Stretching Scientifically" by Thomas Kurz, Stadion Press. Combines all the best research on strength and flexibility training from the old Eastern Bloc nations and newer research.
'Martial Arts After 40' by Sang H. Kim, Turtle Press (although I'm guessing here, but I suspect it is probably of less use to you than to .... say.... someone like ...... me).
'Martial Arts After 40' by Sang H. Kim, Turtle Press (although I'm guessing here, but I suspect it is probably of less use to you than to .... say.... someone like ...... me).
redantstyle
Blue Belt
having done this, i can only concur. there is limited usefulness in the physics. it is good for framing up a few concepts, but these things can be explained in other, perhaps more fruitful, ways.
i agree, the anatomics and 'psychosomatic' issues are far more illuminating.
qwksilver61
Black Belt
Wing Tsun Kuen,Dynamic Wing Tsun, Book of Five Rings and
Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Another couple of ideas have occurred to me.
1. if you are near a college or university or community college, they may have a degree program in Physical Education. This would be a program to become a physical education educator, not just taking various activity classes. Instead, it would involve studying the science of sports and training and the teaching of sports and physical activity and whatnot.
2. As part of the physical education program, a college or community college may offer a coaching certificate. This would not be a full degree program, or may be an Associates/2-year Degree. I expect this would also include a lot of study of the science of sport and physical education.
3. Most sports clubs that include Group Classes and Physical trainers require their personnel to hold certification as a personal trainer. There are a couple of agencys that provide training to get this certification. Once again, I believe there is a lot of study of the science of sport and teaching of physical education and activities.
In any of these programs, I expect you would get an education in the most current theories of physical activities and sport and physical education. There could be a lot of what you are looking for in these kinds of programs, that you could incorporate into your martial arts training.
If you are not in a position to enroll in one of these programs, perhaps you could simply contact them and find out what texts they use in teaching the classes. Maybe you can get a copy and do a self-study of the material.
1. if you are near a college or university or community college, they may have a degree program in Physical Education. This would be a program to become a physical education educator, not just taking various activity classes. Instead, it would involve studying the science of sports and training and the teaching of sports and physical activity and whatnot.
2. As part of the physical education program, a college or community college may offer a coaching certificate. This would not be a full degree program, or may be an Associates/2-year Degree. I expect this would also include a lot of study of the science of sport and physical education.
3. Most sports clubs that include Group Classes and Physical trainers require their personnel to hold certification as a personal trainer. There are a couple of agencys that provide training to get this certification. Once again, I believe there is a lot of study of the science of sport and teaching of physical education and activities.
In any of these programs, I expect you would get an education in the most current theories of physical activities and sport and physical education. There could be a lot of what you are looking for in these kinds of programs, that you could incorporate into your martial arts training.
If you are not in a position to enroll in one of these programs, perhaps you could simply contact them and find out what texts they use in teaching the classes. Maybe you can get a copy and do a self-study of the material.
DavidCC
Master of Arts
I agree. Newtonian physics (F=ma, etc) make for a good metaphor when teaching some principles or concepts, but anatomy & kinethesiology are required if you want to be scientifically accurate and specific on these topics. One of the best and most informed teachers I have ever known was a Chiropracter, that field seemed to really encompass a lot of speicfic knoweldge that is well-applied to martial arts.
Check out "On Killing" and the more read friendly, "On Combat" by Dave Grossman. They deal with the effects of violence on society and the warrior. The most useful section deals with the physiological changes that occur to an individual during life or death conflict.
Truly must reads and they belong on any martial artists shelf. I'd also check out his "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill". It's off topic to this thread and not a MA book but highly informative.
Truly must reads and they belong on any martial artists shelf. I'd also check out his "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill". It's off topic to this thread and not a MA book but highly informative.
still learning
Senior Master
Hello, GUGE GONGH by Master HEI LONG...
Seven Primary tarkets to take anyone out of a Fight!
...Alternative to killing, a second-to-last-resort when conventional defensive tactics not likely to effective...
7 excellant techniques everyone should learn and be aware off...
A paladin press book ISBN 0-87-87364-635-5
Aloha, "7 ways to be a better lover..." ....
Seven Primary tarkets to take anyone out of a Fight!
...Alternative to killing, a second-to-last-resort when conventional defensive tactics not likely to effective...
7 excellant techniques everyone should learn and be aware off...
A paladin press book ISBN 0-87-87364-635-5
Aloha, "7 ways to be a better lover..." ....
So... why do recommend this book?
MattNinjaZX-14
Yellow Belt
I flipped through this at a friend's apartment and thought this was a real good book.
Classical japanese jiu jitsu literature at the turn of the century.
Philip Starr
I haven't read Martial Mechanics, but I really enjoyed his Making of a Butterfly.
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