Strength and Conditioning for Muay Thai AthletesTurner, Anthony N MSc, CSCSLondon Sport Institute, Middlesex University, London, EnglandAnthony N. Turner is a strength and conditioning coach and leader for the Master of Science program in strength and conditioning at Middlesex University.AbstractMUAY THAI WAS DEVELOPED IN THAILAND AND IS A COMBAT SPORT IN WHICH CONTESTANTS CAN KICK, PUNCH, KNEE, ELBOW, AND GRAPPLE WITH THEIR OPPONENTS. LIKE MOST MARTIAL ARTS, MUAY THAI ATHLETES TEND TO PLAY THEMSELVES FIT, OFTEN BECAUSE THIS HAS LONG BEEN THE TRADITIONAL APPROACH BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE MANY MYTHS THAT SURROUND GYM-BASED TRAINING EXERCISES. THIS PAPER THEREFORE AIMS TO JUSTIFY THE INCLUSION OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING WITHIN MUAY THAI AS AN INTERVENTION TO FURTHER ENHANCE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE. IN ADDITION, AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM IS SUGGESTED.INTRODUCTIONMuay Thai, literally Thai boxing, was developed in Thailand and is known as the art of 8 limbs. Athletes can kick, punch, knee, elbow, and grapple with their opponents. A Muay Thai match lasts up to 5 rounds of 3 minutes but is often manipulated depending on the skill of the athletes. As in most martial arts, contestants are weight matched.In Muay Thai and more than likely boxing and most martial arts, fitness appears to be gained through a traditional combination of running, pad work, and sparring. Most athletes are reluctant to undergo strength training because of fears of a loss in flexibility and a gain in body mass. The latter point is especially important and provides for a significant barrier, as athletes will often aim to compete at their lowest possible weight to fight opponents of lower mass.The aim of this paper therefore was to rationalize the use of strength and conditioning (S&C) within Muay Thai and dispel any myths that prevent this form of intervention. The paper further aims to describe and rationalize gym-based methods to further enhance athletic performance and finally present the reader with an evidence-based S&C program.PERFORMANCE ANALYSISAs with any sport to which S&C interventions are to be implemented, the S&C coach must first undergo a performance analysis (also referred to as a needs analysis) to identify the biomechanical and physiological requirements of the sport. Following this, the S&C coach must construct an appropriate test battery to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the athlete against these variables. In addition, it is fundamental to identify mechanisms of injury and prehabilitative strategies. Finally, through consultation with the athlete and sports coach, individual goals must be identified.BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF MUAY THAISTRIKINGThe straight, hook, and uppercut (Figures 1-3, respectively) are the 3 principle punches used in Muay Thai and are identical to those used in boxing. Each punch involves triple extension whereby the ankle, knee, and hip extend to generate force from the ground. Using the additional links of the kinetic chain, the trunk, shoulder, and arm, they then apply this force to the opponent. The need for this synchronization can be evidenced from studies conducted by Filimonov et al. (33) and Verkhoshansky (101). Filimonov et al. (33) analyzed the straight punch of 120 boxers, ranging from elite to junior ranks. All boxers were instructed