Muay Thai is a bit of an oddity in the world of combat. It utilises more of your body in blocking and landing strikes than other sports. It’s impossible to trade blows and come out completely unscathed. However, there is a difference between flesh wounds and permanent damage. With that in mind, you may be wondering – is Muay Thai dangerous?
The answer is less straightforward than you might think. In some ways, it’s completely counterintuitive. If you’ve seen a Muay Thai match, you’ve likely seen outlandish strikes that sent shivers down your spine. That said, a unique philosophy is behind the sport. You need to understand this before you can run a proper risk assessment.
With all that said, let’s dive into the core features and dangers of Muay Thai.
What is Muay Thai?
Originating in Thailand nearly a millennium ago, Muay Thai (or “Thai boxing”) is often called the Art of Eight Limbs. This is because of the sport’s most distinctive feature: using elbows and knees alongside hands and feet. Additionally, fighters can use clinches to shift an opponent’s orientation. This opens them up to punishing attacks with the knees or elbows.
Unlike many other combat sports, Muay Thai isn’t a constant exchange of relentless chain attacks. Since it engages so much of your body, much of it comes down to patience and carefully considering your opponent’s technique.
For example, people tend to think of Muay Thai as more of a kicking sport. Punches are often a method of creating distance and shifting momentum. Elbow attacks and kicks, however, inflict the bulk of the damage. In addition, a fighter might resort to punching if they estimate the opponent is already damaged from hard-landing head kicks.
Is Muay Thai Dangerous and Why?
In competitive Muay Thai, estimates show that over half of all fighters will sustain an observable injury during a match. One-fifth of these injuries are fractures. These figures might seem alarming at first. However, it’s important to consider how most people actually practice Muay Thai.
To start with, Muay Thai training is a full-body regimen in itself. Athletes train with sprinting, jogging, and shadowboxing. Bag training is also integral to developing strength and technique. Then there’s the emphasis on push-ups and other bodyweight exercises. These alone can lead to overexertion. Many practitioners then rely on Muay Thai oil to soothe their overworked muscles. For this reason, many people get involved with the sport simply to stay in shape, with no intention of ever competing.
Sparring, on the other hand, is not a compulsory element of Muay Thai training. This is partly due to the sport’s culture. The idea is you can get many benefits from training without feeling the need to do it competitively. When people do spar, it tends to be relatively light so as not to induce fatigue.
How to stay safe as a Muay Thai fighter
Wear the proper equipment
With the right gear, you’re unlikely to get injured during practice. For starters, you need a lightweight pair of Muay Thai shorts to give your legs maximum mobility for kicks.
As far as other Muay Thai gear goes, gloves and shin guards function a little differently. Foot protection is key in this sport, which the ample cushioning on the guards reflects. Also, designers make the gloves so you can reliably pull off a clinch without struggling.
Of course, remember that one-on-one spars and bag training are just one piece of the puzzle. Most of the training needed for stamina isn’t equipment-reliant, beyond an outfit and jump ropes.
Don’t overdo it
Is Muay Thai dangerous when you take it too far? Yes, it can tire you out quicker than you might expect. Bear in mind that you’re training your body head to toe. Don’t hurt yourself by trying difficult moves when your muscles can’t handle much more.
It’s hard to determine how often you should train, but three times a week is a good starting point. This is a good way to condition your body without going overboard.
Focus on form and technique
Whether it’s diagonal kicks or sharp elbow attacks, a lot can go wrong if you don’t have the technique down. Damage to your cartilage from poor form is unlikely to heal properly. This is true even if you don’t care about competitive fighting. As with any sport, respect the time-tested approaches and stay safe.
FAQs
Is Muay Thai good for self-defence?
A street fight is not a controlled environment like a boxing ring. The gloves literally come off. There are no moderators or rules and little room for ethics. A good self-defence sport should set you up to handle these kinds of situations.
Muay Thai is a great example of a sport with real-world applications. It is based on thwarting attacks and patiently waiting for an opening. Therefore, it’s a good way to catch an attacker off-guard. An untrained fighter will rely on anything to get you off your feet, including punches, elbows, and knees.
In short, Muay Thai training teaches you to use every point of contact tactically. This gives you an advantage over amateurs who will try to throw everything but the kitchen sink your way.
Are concussions common in Muay Thai?
A head injury in Muay Thai can be serious. This is especially true when you consider a well-timed kick or a sudden elbow strike. That said, aiming for the head isn’t a priority because of the nature of the sport.
Compared to a sport like boxing, Muay Thai focuses more on low strikes and body blows. Adding clinches to the equation, there are comparatively few opportunities to target the head in the first place.
Needless to say, you shouldn’t ignore the obvious signs of a concussion if it does happen. You should report and attend to any lapse of consciousness after a heavy blow immediately.
What’s the ideal body type for Muay Thai?
We must also consider body measurements when discussing the safety of Muay Thai. These can greatly affect your technique and ability to compete. There’s no definitive “best” build for this sport, although certain features definitely help.
For starters, the shorter your frame, the more difficult it is to execute long-distance leg attacks. In a sport where punches play a secondary role, it helps if you can land an effective kick without your opponent closing in.
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