Muay Thai's impact on body

[kempezy]

HI Guys,
Question for all Muay Thai Artists out there in regards to the impact of training in Muay Thai on the body? I have sprained my ankles 3 times really badly in the last 2 years , as you can see i have weak ankles, but i would love to start learning this fantastic art.(1) Will this affect my ability to learn Muay Thai? I know i can get a foot brace but i'm thinking this will restrict my movement.(2) Any suggestions or past experiences with similar problems?

Thanks

[MT&BJJ@noob]

1. muaythai kick with shins mainly, so just becareful not to crush your ankle to anything, you will be fine.

2. wear a ankle supporter, a common one that you can found in drug stores will be fine, but make sure it isn't too tight.

[kempezy]

Thanks for your advice, i've heard that Muay Thai is one of most physical martial arts around & one of the hardest onthe body. You said that you kick with shins so theres no contact with your foot?

[Tom Yum]

Thanks for your advice, i've heard that Muay Thai is one of most physical martial arts around & one of the hardest onthe body. You said that you kick with shins so theres no contact with your foot?

There's a push kick, which strikes with either the ball of the foot or the heel. The thai roundhouse kick usually lands with the shin, but for safety I'd wear an ankle support.

If you're fragile, it may take some time to get used to kicking the pads and sparring.

If you want a martial art that's not hard on the body, try aikido. It will take a number of years before you may be able to use it effectively though.

[MT&BJJ@noob]

Thanks for your advice, i've heard that Muay Thai is one of most physical martial arts around & one of the hardest onthe body. You said that you kick with shins so theres no contact with your foot?

well, it depends on how bad is your ankle. If your ankle is still injured that is almost untouchable, you should go to muaythai after it hill.
Moreover, you should take extra care of your bad ankle, stop using that foot as soon as you feel any uncomfortable.
Make sure you tell your instructor you have injury on your ankle and you do not kick anything with your ankle. Kick light before you get used to it.
Good luck

[shirase]

go check it out with a sports rehabilitation therapist, if they dont think its strong enough they could probably prescribe you some exercises to strengthen your calves and your tendons which could help you to get back into it.

[Yoshy357]

My ankles were pretty bad in the past due to basketball. I recall 5 or more severe sprains for each ankle. I have a small collection of useless ankle braces now. However through MT training I feel they've become stronger. I think this is in part due to regular jump rope, running, and variable MT stances. I would suggest ankle guards at first and with time your ankles will adjust and toughen up on their own.

[kempezy]

Thanks again guys for your advice, it was really helpful. From what i've read about Muay Thai they suggest major conditioning of the body is needed to deal with the regular onslaught from other opponents e.g. compared to many other martial arts, Muay Thai practitioners take more of a beating on the body. This does not overly bother me as i grew up with two older brothers. What kind of impact can i expect on the body ? And i've read that as little kids in thailand they harden their shins and forearms while the bones are still growing. I'm 26, can i still have some success in hardening them?

[Tom Yum]

Thanks again guys for your advice, it was really helpful. From what i've read about Muay Thai they suggest major conditioning of the body is needed to deal with the regular onslaught from other opponents e.g. compared to many other martial arts, Muay Thai practitioners take more of a beating on the body. This does not overly bother me as i grew up with two older brothers. What kind of impact can i expect on the body?

Running seems like a good start. Running itself puts a little impact on the legs, especially the shins but it strengthens your legs and your lungs too. When I first started training in MT, I could barely complete two 3 minute rounds of kicking alone due to the cardio demands.

I've started a running thread in the fitness & training section, if you're interested, but there are others like britt, jubaji, gunjin and lizard who can offer something more usefull on the topic.

You might consider working your abdomen as well. Do situps, side bends, leg raises etc. to build some base abdomen strength so you can hold the pads for others and handle the impact without getting folded over. Holding pads while others work knees and kicks to the body is also a good way of conditioning your body for contact.

Skipping rope is good too. It'll give you shoulder stamina (most people have trouble keeping their hands up for a few rounds), build your calves and improve your coordination - check with your Dr.

I'm far, far from being an expert at MT, but this is what I've done over the past few years and it has been good.

[BANG's Protégé]

I train with a professional so my technique when throwing a strike is almost solid. I have bent my wrist a couple of times when punching, but none of them were too serious. My shins had an impact, they got tuffer over time by kicking the heavy bag and thai pads.

[Scott Bolinger]

set up your strenth training days and cardio training days.
ON your strength trainng day , have a full body weight lifting routine , making sure you ahve calve raizes. And on your cardio day, have a couple of rounds doing jump ropes.