Book Review -Karate Science -Dynamic Movement
KARATE SCIENCE -Dynamic Movements. By J.D. Swanson, Ph. D. YMAA Publication Center, Wolfeboro NH. 2017. ISBN: 978-1-59439-459-1. Trade Paperback. $18.95, Kindle $7.99.
The martial arts is to some extent the study of the movement of human bodies. More specifically the study of human bodies moving in conjunction with one another as they fought? And, since it’s not like human bodies are a new thing, right? Wouldn’t it be great if someone somewhere wrote a scientific study of how human bodies moved? And wouldn’t it be better if someone somewhere wrote a book not just about how human bodies move when performing martial arts techniques but also the effects those techniques have on others who are targeted by these techniques? Well, if this is something that sounds good to you, well, you are in luck.
If you are a science nerd with an interest in karate or martial arts, this book is for you. A detailed study of the biomechanics and physics of karate and karate movement written by a fifth dan black belt with a PhD in integrative biosciences from Penn State University (no unaccredited Ph.D.s here it seems), this is book is full of diagrams and illustrations offering explanations of anatomical structures as well as physic principles. To a non-science nerd, or someone with little interest in karate the frequent use of technical words from the fields of both karate and anatomy might be overwhelming but the results are impressive and informative.
The book’s 18 chapters are divided into three sections, The Techniques and How to Do Them, Principles of Karate, and Internal Movement of Karate. Some sample chapter titles include
• Chapter 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of the Martial Arts
• Chapter 3: With What and How do I make a Hitting Surface
• Chapter 6: Tsuki Thrusting Techniques
• Chapter 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques
• Chapter 12: How the Body Works: Balance
• Chapter 16: Rockin’ and Rollin’: Rotation of the Body to Create Power
Each is handled quite well and delivers what it promises.
Karate Science -Dynamic Movement is clearly a labor of love written by an intelligent, educated man who has combined two of his great passions in a single work. Those who are interested in karate and science should find it a work they will read, refer to, and treasure for a long time.
If one looks over my last few self defense and martial arts oriented posts on this blog, you will note that I have mentioned several times that one of the instructors at Violence Dynamics Boston advertised herself as having a PhD, but when examined, there are indications that her PhD (which came from a place called the Eisner Institute) was merely an on-line, unaccredited Phd which would not be recognized as a valid PhD by the majority of professional licensing bodies or academic institutions. Somebody, somewhere, sooner or later is going to ask, "Who really cares if a PhD is accredited or not? What difference does it make"
Well, check out this book and see what a real PhD from a respected and accredited university prepares a person to do. With the knowledge and skills acquired they can do great things.
By contrast advertising an unaccredited PhD is basically seen by most people in the academic world as a manipulative act intended to deceive people and often shows little respect for education and the value of the educational process. A good degree is more than just a piece of paper or a ticket to join a club. It is, instead, certification (hint, "accreditation") that the person has done impressive things to a recognized standard with the implication that they are prepared and able to do such things again.
Dr. Swanson has put his PhD to work here to create a truly impressive piece of applied scholarship.
KARATE SCIENCE -Dynamic Movements. By J.D. Swanson, Ph. D. YMAA Publication Center, Wolfeboro NH. 2017. ISBN: 978-1-59439-459-1. Trade Paperback. $18.95, Kindle $7.99.
The martial arts is to some extent the study of the movement of human bodies. More specifically the study of human bodies moving in conjunction with one another as they fought? And, since it’s not like human bodies are a new thing, right? Wouldn’t it be great if someone somewhere wrote a scientific study of how human bodies moved? And wouldn’t it be better if someone somewhere wrote a book not just about how human bodies move when performing martial arts techniques but also the effects those techniques have on others who are targeted by these techniques? Well, if this is something that sounds good to you, well, you are in luck.
If you are a science nerd with an interest in karate or martial arts, this book is for you. A detailed study of the biomechanics and physics of karate and karate movement written by a fifth dan black belt with a PhD in integrative biosciences from Penn State University (no unaccredited Ph.D.s here it seems), this is book is full of diagrams and illustrations offering explanations of anatomical structures as well as physic principles. To a non-science nerd, or someone with little interest in karate the frequent use of technical words from the fields of both karate and anatomy might be overwhelming but the results are impressive and informative.
The book’s 18 chapters are divided into three sections, The Techniques and How to Do Them, Principles of Karate, and Internal Movement of Karate. Some sample chapter titles include
• Chapter 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of the Martial Arts
• Chapter 3: With What and How do I make a Hitting Surface
• Chapter 6: Tsuki Thrusting Techniques
• Chapter 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques
• Chapter 12: How the Body Works: Balance
• Chapter 16: Rockin’ and Rollin’: Rotation of the Body to Create Power
Each is handled quite well and delivers what it promises.
Karate Science -Dynamic Movement is clearly a labor of love written by an intelligent, educated man who has combined two of his great passions in a single work. Those who are interested in karate and science should find it a work they will read, refer to, and treasure for a long time.
If one looks over my last few self defense and martial arts oriented posts on this blog, you will note that I have mentioned several times that one of the instructors at Violence Dynamics Boston advertised herself as having a PhD, but when examined, there are indications that her PhD (which came from a place called the Eisner Institute) was merely an on-line, unaccredited Phd which would not be recognized as a valid PhD by the majority of professional licensing bodies or academic institutions. Somebody, somewhere, sooner or later is going to ask, "Who really cares if a PhD is accredited or not? What difference does it make"
Well, check out this book and see what a real PhD from a respected and accredited university prepares a person to do. With the knowledge and skills acquired they can do great things.
By contrast advertising an unaccredited PhD is basically seen by most people in the academic world as a manipulative act intended to deceive people and often shows little respect for education and the value of the educational process. A good degree is more than just a piece of paper or a ticket to join a club. It is, instead, certification (hint, "accreditation") that the person has done impressive things to a recognized standard with the implication that they are prepared and able to do such things again.
Dr. Swanson has put his PhD to work here to create a truly impressive piece of applied scholarship.
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