The Medical Science and Biophysics Behind Knockouts

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Matt Pitt, a board certified-physician, helps the medically uninitiated out in terms of understanding what part of the body is responsible for either causing or preventing KOs:

The sternocleidomastoids (SCM) -- one on each side of the neck -- are paired muscles, composed of the sternomastoid component that runs from the sternum to the mastoid process of the skull, immediately behind and below the ear, and the cleidomastoid muscle that runs from the clavicle to the mastoid. When flexed, the SCM rotates the head toward the opposing side. Flexing both SCMs in alternation shakes the head "no," as one might if waving off an overly concerned ringside physician. Flexing them simultaneously flexes the neck forward and extends the head -- in the right circumstance resisting the force of a blow to the face. It’s why fighters often seem to be ducking into a punch.

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Moreover, arrayed against them are the muscles used in throwing a punch: calves, gluts, lats, pecs, triceps, etc. These are some of the most powerful muscles in the body. It is not surprising then that we rarely see the thrower of a well-placed punch to the head grasping his hand in pain and stumbling back in amazement as his opponent casually flexes his SCMs and smiles; the muscular arithmetic is firmly in the thrower’s favor.

When a punch of sufficient force strikes the face, it accelerates the front of the cranium back into the frontal lobes of the brain. This is the irreducible sweet science of brain injury. A gentle blow to the frontal lobes causes various degrees of central nervous system sedation -- it stuns the brain -- and a blow of sufficient force simply shuts the brain off. Seizures are not uncommon.

Pitt goes on to explain why punches to the side and back of the head up the ante in terms of potentially KOing a foe or doing serious damage.

In short, though, the aim of the piece is to dispel the myth that cranial thickness is somehow beneficial to preventing knockouts. While perhaps handy for other protective purposes, a thick skull (and how much variance is actually there in terms of thickness?) will not protect you from a vicious punch as much as essentially have a strong, sturdy neck and jaw will.

Being lucky never hurts either.

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[GOD]

Neat.