http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/fight-science
The program has been heavily criticised for a number of things.
Lack of cultural diversity: All the weapons used in tests were from China, Japan or the Philippines. Weapons from Europe, the Middle East, Africa or the Americas were not included in the testing. Additionally the only styles from outside of Asia that were tested were Boxing, Capoeira, and Brazilian Jiujitsu (which is partially Japanese). Styles such as Sambo or Savate were not included.
Reinforcing myths: Fight Science has been accused of reinforcing martial arts myths rather than dispelling them. For example the experiment to prove that katanas are the best sword due to their ability to both cut and thrust was rigged, as the katana was only measured against two other swords, both of which were dedicated to either cutting or thrusting. Or when proving that the Muay Thai Knee strike was the most powerful kick (in spite of other styles having techniques that are exactly the same) the amount of power generated was not mentioned, but rather the show only went into detail of the injury caused, which it did for no other kick. (the amount force in a 35 mph crash is roughly 2200 lbs)
Lack of Historical Research: Fight Science has been accused of not having done sufficient historical research into the martial arts and weapons it tests. It is alleged that the Jian used for the weapons experiment was not of the type that was used in real combat, which were thicker and more ridged, but a modern type that is thinner and lighter so as to be better for doing forms and display.
Rewarding the experts who volunteered: It has been alleged that experiments were rigged to favour the styles of practitioners in the show, rather than being objective.
The Katana Test: The Test of the Katana's cutting power has drawn dramatic amounts of criticism. The test was against a ballistics gel cast of a human torso that had neither bones nor organs and was of completely consistent resistance, unlike a human body. It should also be noted that the test was conducted by Bren Foster, a Tae Kwon Do practitioner who has no great skill in the handling of the Katana.
Testing practitioners not style: It has been pointed out that it was the practitioners that were tested, and not the style itself. For example, taekwondo was regarded as having the best reflexes, however, this means only that the practitioner tested has better reflexes than all other practitioners, though other practitioners in other martial arts, who were not tested, may have better reflexes than the practitioner of taekwondo that was tested.
Related to the above point, the weight of each practitioner was not included in the analysis. Even though the boxer had the strongest punch, he was also the largest of the participants. They should have provided a “force of the strike”/”weight of the striker” ratio. The Kung-Fu practitioner had the “weakest” punch, but he was also the smallest participant and was only a one inch punch from the least distance.
The Back-kick that the Tae Kwon Do practitioner used to show the power of Tae Kwon Do are also used in Karate, Muay Thai (rarely used in the ring, but it is a part of the muay thai fighting style), Savate, Kung fu, kickboxing and most fighting styles.
Conclusion: watch it for entertainment not education!
