The purposes of this study were: to investigate whether or not heavier (larger) boxing gloves (6, 10, 12, and 18 ounce gloves) could reduce the impact force and hitting pressure to head models of various sizes; and to study whether or not the size of the boxer`s head using a force plate (FP), large head model (LH) (21 x 21 cm), medium head model (MH) (18 x 18 cm), and small head model (SH) (15 x 15 cm) could modify the hitting force distribution. The experiment was divided into two parts. The data of the first part used 30 subjects (14-17 yrs old), of which 10 were non-boxers (NB), 10 were low punching force boxers (LB), and the last 10 were high punching force boxers (HB). First, anthropometric and physical fitness were measured for each of the subjects prior to the performing of straight right punches with varying glove sizes on random head sizes until each of the different glove sizes had been tested. Part two used a pendulum (1.0 meter long) fist model releasing apparatus, in which the dumbbell (3 kg) was covered by each of the different glove sizes (6-18 ozs) and released on various head models of different sizes (placing on a force platform) until all of the glove sizes had been tested. The impact force (F) of each size of gloves, area at impact (A) and calculated hitting pressure (P) from F/A were recorded. These quantitative data were analyzed by Paired t-test or One way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test. The study found similar results in part 1 and part 2 as follows: 1) Mean hitting force was not significantly different in 6, 10, 12, and 18 ounces gloves. 2) Mean hitting area at impact point was 18 > 12 > 10 > 6 ounces gloves and for the receiving impact area was FP > LH > MH > SH and 3) Mean hitting pressure was 6 > 10 > 12 > 18 ounces gloves and mean hitting pressure of SH > MH > LH > FP was significantly different. Based on the above results, it could be concluded that heavier gloves do not attenuate impact force. Nevertheless, larger gloves and larger head models induced more force distribution and reduced the hitting force per unit area (pressure). Heavier gloves which are larger in size may be helpful for attenuating the risk of bone fracture and the severity of head injury in addition to help in guarding the head of the boxers who wear them.
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