Rocky IV: sports science, brain injury, and horsepower punches

Published: July 23, 2019, 7:45 a.m.

Forces \n\n

Height and reach advantage and impossible momentary punching force. Punching with horsepower vs just straight up hitting people with horses.

\n\n \u2018Murrica \n\n

James Brown and showboat Apollo. The Khaleesi naming scheme.

\n\n Sports Science \n\n

The rising tide of money in sports. The \u201cbig bang of body types.\u201d Steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

\n\n Brain Injury \n\n

The particular badness of boxing for brain damage. The possible safety increase in taking off the gloves in MMA. Just about any sports injury is better than brain damage. The brain compared to Jello. The extra danger of rotational brain injury. Cumulative microconcussions.

\n\n Robots! \n\n

Surprisingly not a cynical product placement.

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