The Fight science team compare five traditional Kung Fu fighting styles inspired by the animal kingdom to see how humans fighters really compare to the animals they emulate. The lighting fast strike of the snake, balance and evasiveness of the crane, the deadly accuracy of the praying mantis, the agility of the monkey and the raw power and fearless aggression of the tiger. They try to determine if the martial artists using animal style Kung Fu, can effectively mimic their animals that inspire them.
First, can a martial artist strike with the speed of a snake. They use a Beijing Wushu national champion, Li Ging, to test her speed against an albino western diamond back rattlesnake. The snake hits a ballon so fast, you can barely see it. They were filming the snake at a 1000 frames per second to slow it down and look at its motion. The snake struck at 4.65 inches in 29.5 milliseconds, which is over 13 feet per second. Li Ging struck a moving polyurethane life-size head form, which is moving to simulate a live opponent. She struck they eye at 4.2 meter's per second, traveling 15.5 inches in 90.4 milliseconds equaling 13.78 feet per seconds. Almost 5% faster than the snake and with perfect accuracy. She was a little faster. She was so excited.
Second, the Crane who is know for balance, grace, evasion. Glen Levy, martial arts instructor, stunt man, and fight coordinator. Glen stands on an 8 inch wide pedestal on a 2.5 inch diameter pole called plumflower polls, a classic training tool used by martial artists to develop balance and focus. The Fight Science team puts pressure sensors in his shoes to determine how he's balancing and changes his center of gravity and they have an opponent throw ninja stars at Glen to try to knock him off the polls. The stars have been dulled so as not to break skin, but they can still hurt. The person throwing them is highly trained. Glen moves from 2 feet to 4 feet off the ground. He keeps his center of gravity stays pretty consistent. Then he moves up to 6 feet and the poll has much more sway. The highest he goes is 8 feet. Then they have him him two 60 lb. blocks of ice, something he's never attempted before, which he does at 1500 pounds of force, equal to a bat swinging at 112 miles per hour. Crazy to watch.
Third, the Praying Mantis. Wong Wei has to snatch as many flies out of the air in 60 seconds. A Praying Mantis strike is something like 140th of a second. Humans are 5 times slower than that. A fly's reaction time is 150th of a second, 12 times faster than the average human. He caught 7 flies in midflight. Amazing to watch and how he used the wind from his arms to move the flies away from him and catching them. His wrist was going 8 miles per hour and his finger was going 15 miles per hours, far beyond normal human reactions.
Watching how training and your mind work to create the ability to do things without even thinking about it or causing the brain and reaction to be split seconds apart.
The use Danny, a free runner, who has incorporated the monkey style movements into his training. Watching him move across the "monkey bars" was amazing. This guy was incredible. I have to say this was the most impressive to watch.
Finally, the tiger. Tiger style Kung Fu, which copies intense emotions. Bren Foster is the kung fu expert, who is HOT! What couldn't believe i was watching was when the let the real tiger out of his cage. A rattle snake is one thing, but a real 600 lb. tiger against a real 176 lb man?.... CRAZY! The animal wrangler instructs the crew, that if she somehow comes loose from her cable, DO NOT RUN. Running makes you look like prey. He tells them to stand where they are and do not move. With the tiger "only" playing a single swipe of her claw generate 1400 pounds of pressure. Bren's strike was 2600 pounds for force. But the cat was playing. Experts estimates is over 10,000 pounds of force.
This show is totally inspiring me to get into shape and to know that my mind and body can accomplish anything I want it to.
I still say this is the best show on television, not only because of what the human body is able to accomplish, but how the show graphics and explaining illustrates. All i can say every time i watch this show is.... WOW!
National Geographic Channel (NATGO)
Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010
9:00 PM PST
Okay, this is what I like about this show. The little tidbits of information that they parcel out to us each episode that keep someone like me very intrigued. Like this episode when Chance is talking out how the "Corporate Man" is sticking it to the little guy employee and he says to Winston, "Don't look at me like that. This isn't about me or what I went through." You just want to scream, WHAT?! But at the same time its so enticing. It slightly explains how Chance knows so much about everything. Was he some kind of kid genius who got caught up in doing something that was illegal, obviously changed his life in big ways. Just so curious to know more. I like that they are only giving me bits that will keep me interested. Hopefully it won't get old. 
