Digital registration of the spatial distribution of contact load on the striking surface of a boxing glove during hook punches in the «strike force» discipline

Relevance. Digital measurement systems in combat sports enable quantitative assessment of contact parameters, force and the spatial structure of impact. The microstructure of the glove–target contact patch remains insufficiently characterized in the «strike force» discipline. Aim. To evaluate a sensor-equipped boxing glove for recording the spatial distribution of contact load during maximal-intensity hook punches and to characterize between-athlete variability. Methods. This was an observational, instrumental, cross-sectional study. Peak punch force was recorded with the CROCUS system (3500 Hz), whereas contact-load distribution was recorded with a wearable 8×8 piezoresistive matrix integrated into a 12 oz GREEN HILL glove. The best hook-punch attempts of 32 boxers aged 20.2±2.3 years were analysed. Mean, SD, 95% confidence intervals and coefficients of variation were calculated; CV was interpreted as between-athlete variability rather than test–retest reliability. Results. Mean maximal hook-punch force was 2975.5 N (SD=486.2 N; 95 Conclusions. The sensor glove provides additional spatial information about glove–target contact. Its summed load must not be interpreted as a force-transfer coefficient, and repeatability should be evaluated separately using repeated trials and ICC/SEM.