How Dangerous Is Muay Thai?

People who are interested in Muay Thai want to know, is it safe or dangerous?

A 13-year old Muay Thai fighter died from head injuries during a charity fight on 10 November 2018. In 2017, Mr. Pradip Subramanian, former World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Federation Singapore president, also died after a Muay Thai fight due to two heart conditions. Like other competitive combat sports, Muay Thai can kill even with proper protective gear.

People go to Muay Thai classes for different purposes. Some want to become professional fighters, and others want to join for fitness. So the risk factor also depends on your ultimate goals.

In this article, we will discuss how dangerous is Muay Thai and its safety aspects. Muay Thai fights in the ring can be bloody and brutal. Fighters have to face sharp elbow strikes, flying knees, swinging punches, and hard kicks to the guts.

How Dangerous Is Muay Thai Training? 

Training Muay Thai is different, and it isn’t as dangerous as it is considered to be. Many Muay Thai practitioners practice Muay Thai for health and fitness purposes. If you want to join to lose weight, self-defense, and fitness, you must join it. If you are going to fight in the ring, you have to keep dangers in mind before stepping into the ring. 

How to Prevent Injuries?

The best way to prevent injuries is by working with an experienced and qualified trainer. Although injuries are unavoidable, experienced trainers can keep you safe and healthy during training. Like any other combat sports, Muay Thai exposes you to injuries. You can prevent all the injuries, but you can perform some actions to keep yourself safe. Follow the below-given tips to avoid injuries:

Don’t push your limits, and don’t follow the other athletes. Listen to your body and don’t over-exert yourself. Doing this results in fatigue and we are more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to injuries. 

If you are already suffering from injury, respect your body and allow the previous injury to be healed. After full recovery of the prior injury, then take part in any other activity. Ask your consultant what you can and what you can’t do? Seek their help for getting back into training. 

We don’t want to wear a mouth guard because they don’t look glamorous, but it is essential to wear protective equipment. Otherwise, your teeth will be missing. Take the recommendations of coaches seriously and always wear the protective equipment that is available to you. 

You need to learn a lesson for proper form. For example, you punch something if it’s not hit the target; you will hurt your hand. So, it is mandatory to listen to your coach and use proper form when training. Improper form can lead to injuries. If you are not okay with something, let your coach know about it and they may be able to replace or modify it. Don’t put yourself or others at risk. 

Concussion Safety

When you are training with a coach, the chances of concussion are rare, but accidents can happen at any time. When you choose to compete at full contact level, chances of concussion increase. It doesn’t matter whether the concussion occurs inside the ring or outside; you need to take concussion safety seriously. Follow the tips to keep yourself safer:

Symptoms of a concussion may include temporary loss of consciousness, headache, and dizziness, amnesia around the event, vomiting, and nausea. Everybody doesn't need to have the same symptoms, but if you fall and experience any of the symptoms, you must take medical aid. 

If you have experienced a fall or hit and you are not sure you have a concussion or not, sit it out. It is recommended to seek medical care to rule out a concussion. If you have a concussion or you suspect that you have, stop training. It is crucial to play safe to prevent injury. 

Always listen to your trainer and put safety first. Rules will be different for each academy and gym, but trust their commitments to safety and wear all protective equipment. 

Bumps and Bruises 

Bumps, bruises, and other minor strains are less likely to experience during training. These strains are not serious, but you need to take injuries seriously. Allow yourself time to heal these injuries and don’t over-train. You don’t have to seek medical aid for bruises all the time, but in the case of large bruises, don’t forget to seek medical aid. Allow the strains to heal, and it is the best solution. Consider the following tips when you want to be at your best during training. 

A proper stretching routine can help to prevent injuries. Spend time to cool and warm down your muscles. Don’t skip stretching and make it part o your daily routine. 

Many practitioners use a roller for loosening tight muscles. It can be painful at times, but it can alleviate tight muscles. You would be feeling great in no time. 

Epsom salt bath can be relaxing and alleviate strains and sore muscles. It is recommended to take Epsom salt bath when you have exerted yourself. 

Should I try Muay Thai?

You want to try Muay Thai, and you are concerned about safety; don’t worry because when used for fitness and health, it is safe. You need to be worried about safety when you use it for fighting or in a ring. Yes, you can try Muay Thai by following all the safety measures. Muay Thai classes can be fun, and it can be a killer workout also. 

Conclusion

People want to learn Muay Thai but are not sure about how dangerous is Muay Thai. No doubt, Muay Thai is dangerous, but the risk level depends on your goals. If you want to join for fun and fitness, it is safe. When you want to learn for professional fights, then prepare yourself for bloody and brutal attacks. So, Muay Thai is the deadliest martial art when it comes to fighting in a ring.