Studies show boxers can punch with 776 pounds of force (source inside). How is it that humans can withstand several of these and remain conscious, but if 776 pounds were dropped on our head we’d die instantly?

Question

Here’s the source: https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/straight-dope/article/13039270/straight-dope-the-physics-of-punching-someone-in-the-face

In: Physics

Answer 1

776 pounds of force a boxer is hit with represents setting (not dropping) that much weight on your head for a fraction of a second while laying on a really soft mattress. It wouldn’t be pleasant, but very survivable.

Dropping that much weight represents a significantly larger amount of force. 776 pounds might sound like a lot, but when we are talking about instantaneous force, it really isn’t. An adult male runner exerts about 1000 pounds with each step, but his feet and ankles handle it just fine.

Answer 2

776 pounds of dropped weight doesn’t hit you with 776 pounds of force.

A good example to talk about here is “paracord”. That little thing nylon rope that you see so many survival bracelets and stuff made out of it. It’s rated for 550lbs of weight (double what your average person weighs), and yet it’s made abundantly clear that you shouldn’t try to climb with it.

Basically you lifted up a 549lbs weight to just the right height for it to be suspended by that piece of cord, tied it up, and removed the support, it would dangle perfectly. If you lifted an inch higher before letting go though, the velocity gained from failling that inch is going to to provide a lot more energy that just 549lbs.