Does exhaling when punching or kicking actually create greater power?

Question

I see professional fighters do it all the time, and I do it too, it just feels natural, but does it actually have any benefit?

Answer 1

LMFAO! did you see never back down? well the point of exhaling while punching is so you remember to breath and not   hyper ventilate or pass out (i have done both) and so you can organize your breathing with your moves, everything will just flow better

ever seen he kids that actually make the sound by exhaling through their teeth? thats bad for their teeth >.>

Answer 2

Exhaling prevents your lungs from feelings weird after contact. The force from contact will also be felt in the chest area.

Additionally, fighters also exhale whenever they are receiving a kick or punch in order to relieve the blow.

Answer 3

Sure does...

Some reactions are natural, as is this one,  One of the beauties of exhaling as you punch is that if you are hit, you won't get the wind knocked out of you.  If it feels natural, than it is right.

Just like when you are lifting weights, you exhale as you push, this is no different.

Answer 4

I THINK ITS INHALING WHEN PUNCHING ADN KICKING MAKE THE GREATER POWER

Answer 5

Ok I see the people who have no clue are out in full force today....nothing unusual there.

In answer to your questions yes exhaling when exerting does increase your power, and not only people in martial arts do it, but other sports as well. Ever listen to a tennis player when they strike the ball? How about a weight lifter as they lift?

in fact the noises that you hear 'karate" people make are actually to help insrease power and focus.

Also breathing out does help to minimize damage if you are struck, and help keep from getting the wind knocked out. think about it. You are most open when you are throwing something, as that means there is an opening somewhere on your body. A good counter fighter will take advantage of that.

Breathing also helps you to relax, which takes less energy and lets your body use oxygen more efficiantly. try hitting a bag for a minute while breathing out, and then another minute while holding your breath.

if you don't breathe correctly you will gas out much sooner.

Answer 6

Yes... the Chinese call it Wai Chi - outflowing breath. It is one of the functions of chi.. which only means "breath", people! It does not mean "magic power" or anything new-age-ish. It just means "breath". So in essence, you all have "chi" whether you believe in it or not.

It enhances the power of the technique because it generates the energy from your internal organs.

Answer 7

No its a great way to get a return breath and if they puch you right after then there is no breath to knock out of you.  Its what we call a controll or a release point.

Answer 8

It keeps your diaphragm from crushing your organs, and airsacks in your lungs from exploding.

So, yeah, there is a "benefit."

Answer 9

sometimes people exhale rather than making a sound when punching, some people do it as part of their breathing, other try not to hold their breath. does that answer ur question???

Answer 10

Yes.

People shouldn't answer questions when they don't know what they are talking about...

Do weightlifghters exhale as they lift to be prepared for a return stike? Does Roger Federor grunt then when hitting a Tennis ball to be prepared for punches?

No they do it because it is good biomechanics and helps generate more power.

Primarily because a rapid exhalation tightens your core muscles and helps your body move as one unit more effeciently. During a punch or kick, your core, your hlps, are much more important for generating power than your arms.

As you tighten your core, your body comes into alignment and allows muscle groups to work together.

Secondly, as your exhale your body rushes oxygen into your system for absorbtion, sending more oxygen to muscles, allow them to do more.

It is one of the reasons that powerlifters do a series of rapid inhales and exhales before lifting. It isn't just to psyche them up, it is to accelerate heartrate and oxygen throughout the muscles allow them to lift just that little bit more.

So yes, exhaling during punching and kicking generates more power. Every single physical activity in the world has the mantra of "exhale upon exertion" for a reason.

Those who tell you otherwise either heard it from an instructor who doesn't know what he is talking about, or someone who uses arm punches, and has no understanding of body mechanics.

Whether it is lifting weights, swinging a bat, a tennis racket, jumping, etc. The rule of thumb is always "exhale upon exertion".

There are probably much greater scientific or medical explanations for the reason for this than what I have stated here. Google "Exhale upon Exertion" and you will probably find it.

But in short, yes you generate more power by exhaling during a punch or kick.

Answer 11

Yes absolutely. It woks as follows. When you are exhaling you are relaxing your diaphragm muscles, this allows your abdomen to turn slightly and easily toward the punch. If you tighten by holding your breath when punching you stiffen the abdomen and reduce its ability to shift toward the punch. When punching that doesn't mean you should not tighten your abductor muscles; rather you should control the tension in your abbs.. The easiest way to do this is by Yelling or "puffing "as some fighters do.  This should also be done when receiving a blow to the abdomen as well as it relieves internal pressure from the blow and helps prevent damage to the internal organs, much the same way a shock absorber on a automobile works. The vital organs sit just below the diaphragm. When you hold your breath this creates a solid wall for them to get slammed into. Exhaling in a controlled manor allows the wall to move with the blow and acts as a cushion rather than a wall.

Answer 12

It tightens the abs and eliminates the air in the lungs.

Since most punching movements start from the base (stance), and travel through the abdomen, tightening the muscles will allow the kinetic energy to flow more evenly (like an unbroken wave).   I have seen lots of board breaks fail if there is no kihap, adding one tends to better focus the movement.   Tightening the abs will also help kicks.  If you've ever done bicycle sit-ups, tightening the abs will help pull the leg up to its retracted position, and keep the knee up high.  However for some kicks - like a back thrust kick, the exhale is not as effective.