Abstract: In order to study the energy absorption effect and dynamic response characteristics of silicon-based strain rate-sensitive energy-absorbing materials under impact load, impact tests of energy-absorbing materials were conducted on the 6000 kN hydraulic leg impact test platform at the Beijing Mining Support Equipment Testing and Inspection Center of the Coal Science Research Institute. The jerky theory was employed to analyze the energy absorbing effect and dynamic response. Mathematical expressions relating object speed, displacement, and impact energy were derived for varying external forces, and theoretical predictions were validated by experimental measurements. The results indicate that the silicon-based material exhibits rapid response time, high energy absorption capacity, prolonged time delay, peak removal, vibration elimination and damage resistance during impact. Specifically, the response time of the energy-absorbing material was measured to be approximately 35 ms when tested with the hydraulic leg, the maximum pressure in the lower chamber of the hydraulic leg during the impact process is 36.85 MPa, while the hydraulic leg without energy-absorbing material protection has a maximum pressure of 59 MPa when impacted. During the impact, the lower chamber of the hydraulic leg reduced by 61.9% maximum pressure, with the energy-absorbing material accounting for 80% of the total impact energy absorbed. Moreover, the impact time was 8 times longer than that of the non-energy absorbing material, while remaining stable with no significant fluctuation during the process. The structure of the material also remained intact except for some plastic deformation on the contact surface. These findings, consistent with the jerky theory, provide valuable insights for the design and selection of materials for hydraulic-powered support in anti-impact applications.