Biomechanical Analysis of Taijiquan Martial Application

Taijiquan can handle incoming forces with minimal effort and it can overcome hardness with softness. This claim is sometimes viewed suspiciously because ordinary people cannot execute the internal force of Taijiquan. Relaxation can enhance stability and rooting can help facilitate selfdefense. This claim often causes confusion because ordinary people are unfamiliar with these concepts. In the following, the author cites ancient Taijiquan Classics and reviews scientific literature to discuss a better way for Taijiquan training for health, and to help reveal an effective way of Taijiquan application for self-defense. Martial application is a complex process, and involves converting the mechanically disadvantaged systems in the human body to be more efficient and effective mechanisms. As a martial art for self-defense, Taijiquan is most challenging for practitioners when it comes to quickly receiving a strong oncoming force and effectively launching “Jin” after neutralization. The biomechanical aspects of Taijiquan martial art are evaluated in terms of motional control; the six degrees of freedom in motion; maintaining a central equilibrium; biotensegrity formation; the living fulcrum and leverage utilization; ground reaction force enhancement; and body kinetic chain manipulation. In this paper, the mysterious “Qi” and “Jin” are scientifically defined, to help users understand the essence of Taijiquan.