Evaluation of Ability of Two Different Pneumatic Boxing Gloves to Reduce Delivered Impact Forces and Improve Safety

Abstract

Two prototype pneumatic boxing gloves of different design were compared against conventional 10 oz (Std 10 oz) and 16 oz (Std 16 oz) gloves in terms of ability to reduce impact forces delivered to a target. One of the pneumatic gloves (SBLI) contained a sealed air bladder inflated to a pressure of 2 kPa. The other (ARLI) incorporated a bladder that allowed release of air to the external environment upon contact with a target, followed by rapid air reuptake. Each glove was placed on to a mechanical fist and dropped 10 times on to an in-floor force plate from each of nine heights ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 metres, with the 5-metre drop generating a peak pre-impact glove velocity close to the reported maximum for elite boxers. Compared to the conventional gloves, the ARLI glove substantially reduced peak impact forces at all drop heights, with the reduction exceeding 30% even at the 5-metre level. The SBLI glove was as effective as the ARLI glove in reducing peak impact forces at drop heights of up to 2.5 metres, but its performance then progressively diminished, and at drop heights of 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 metres it produced peak force readings similar to those recorded for the Std 10 oz and Std 16 oz gloves. The superiority of the ARLI glove was even more evident in relation to peak rate of force development, with reductions relative to the Std 10 oz glove being ~60% at drop heights up to 3.5 metres and still ~47% at 5 metres. Peak rate of force development for the SBLI glove exceeded that for the ARLI glove for all drop heights of 2.0 metres and above, and at 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 metres it was higher than the readings for the Std 10 oz and 16 oz gloves. The protective effect of the ARLI glove was associated with an increase in impact compliance and prolongation of contact time between glove and target.

Iterative Design of Impact-Damping Gloves for Safer Boxing

“…Research in which force transducers were located in the gloves of professional boxers demonstrated that while most impacts recorded during actual bouts produced peak forces of less than 2000 N readings above 5000 N could be encountered [62]. Based on these findings and allowance of some tolerance to cater for the possibility that forces exceeding those observed in research settings might occasionally occur in field environ-Open Journal of Safety Science and Technology ments, gloves aimed at damping peak impact forces probably need to be effective across a range of standard glove equivalent peak forces extending from below 2000 N to at least 10,000 N. Our current ARLI gloves meet this criterion and, when employed in conjunction with other safety measures, could be expected to reduce the risk and/or severity of boxing injuries [57].…”

“…In late April 2016, we conducted a study in which the drop testing apparatus was used to compare a Std 10oz glove, a Std 16oz glove, a prototype low-impact glove with a sealed bladder (SBLI), and the new prototype low-impact glove with air release capability (ARLI). This experiment is described in detail elsewhere [57]. Briefly, each glove was dropped on to the force plate 10 times from each of nine different heights ranging from 1 to 5 metres.…”

“…Considerable doubts have been expressed as to whether the boxing community would ever be amenable to such changes [3], since it is believed that the visual, emotional and cultural appeal of the sport to that community is largely tied to its inherent risks [29]. This belief is partially supported by the fact that since the 1890s, there have been more than 20 patents lodged for gloves aimed at markedly decreasing impact forces, but none has led to widespread or sustained adoption of a new glove design [30].…”

Effect of Pneumatic Boxing Gloves on Impact Kinematics and Their Relationship to Impact Forces

“…The data capture protocol is fully described elsewhere [1]. Two prototype pneumatic gloves and two conventional gloves were tested.…”

Factors Underpinning at Least Three Years of Participant Adherence to a Community-Focused Modified Boxing Program

“…In this photo they are practising their sport-specific skills with specially constructed impact-damping boxing gloves that were developed by members of the research team as a means of improving participant safety and enjoyment. The gloves have been shown to significantly reduce peak impact forces [31]. Permission to use this image with the associated wording was provided by the people depicted.…”