Techniques Used by Elite Thai and UK Muay Thai Fighters: An Analysis and Simulation
Affiliation(s)
Newman University, Birmingham, UK. University College London, London, UK. University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
Newman University, Birmingham, UK. University College London, London, UK. University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK. Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
ABSTRACT
Background: Muay Thai is a combat sport growing in international popularity. Previous research has highlighted marked jurisdictional differences in the judging systems employed, but no studies have compared techniques used by fighters across geographic regions or have been on how these might be a function of the different judging systems employed. This paper aimed to address this issue by examining differences in technique selection and application between Thai and UK Muay Thai fighters using notational analysis. Method: The winners of thirty-two fights involving 16 Thai and 16 UK fighters were analysed. Three multilevel Poisson regression models were used to estimate differences in technique frequency and key performance indicators between Thai and UK fighters. Results: Thai fighters used more attacking and defensive techniques than UK fighters, particularly knees (p < 0.001), roundkicks to the body (p < 0.001), and push kicks (p < 0.001). Thai fighters also tended to catch an opponent’s leg significantly more often than UK fighters (p < 0.001), but UK fighters were significantly more likely to use other defensive techniques. There were also statistically significant interactions between nationality and a range of quality indicators, including delivering techniques at an appropriate distance (p < 0.001), the effectiveness of techniques used (p < 0.001), and returning to a balanced stance (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results suggested that Thai fighters using better distancing, were more effective and more balanced. The practical implications of findings and their implications for the sport and future research are discussed.
Background: Muay Thai is a combat sport growing in international popularity. Previous research has highlighted marked jurisdictional differences in the judging systems employed, but no studies have compared techniques used by fighters across geographic regions or have been on how these might be a function of the different judging systems employed. This paper aimed to address this issue by examining differences in technique selection and application between Thai and UK Muay Thai fighters using notational analysis. Method: The winners of thirty-two fights involving 16 Thai and 16 UK fighters were analysed. Three multilevel Poisson regression models were used to estimate differences in technique frequency and key performance indicators between Thai and UK fighters. Results: Thai fighters used more attacking and defensive techniques than UK fighters, particularly knees (p < 0.001), roundkicks to the body (p < 0.001), and push kicks (p < 0.001). Thai fighters also tended to catch an opponent’s leg significantly more often than UK fighters (p < 0.001), but UK fighters were significantly more likely to use other defensive techniques. There were also statistically significant interactions between nationality and a range of quality indicators, including delivering techniques at an appropriate distance (p < 0.001), the effectiveness of techniques used (p < 0.001), and returning to a balanced stance (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results suggested that Thai fighters using better distancing, were more effective and more balanced. The practical implications of findings and their implications for the sport and future research are discussed.
Cite this paper
Myers, T. , Balmer, N. , Nevill, A. & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2013). Techniques Used by Elite Thai and UK Muay Thai Fighters: An Analysis and Simulation. Advances in Physical Education, 3, 175-186. doi: 10.4236/ape.2013.34029.
Myers, T. , Balmer, N. , Nevill, A. & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2013). Techniques Used by Elite Thai and UK Muay Thai Fighters: An Analysis and Simulation. Advances in Physical Education, 3, 175-186. doi: 10.4236/ape.2013.34029.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318231a66d [2] Blomqvist, M., Luhtanen, P., & Laakso, L. (1998) Validation of a notational analysis system for badminton. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 35, 137-150. [3] Board of Boxing Sport (2002). Standard Rules and regulations for Boxing Sport Competitions B.E. 2545. Bangkok: Office of Professional Sports, Sports Authority of Thailand. [4] Brown, A. (2011) The fight for it all. Seidman Business Review, 17, 2223.
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/sbr/vol17/iss1/10 [5] Brown, M. B., Lauder, M., & Dyson, R. (2011). Notational analysis of sprint kayaking: Differentiating between ability levels. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11, 171-183. [6] Casolino, E., Lupo, C., Cortis, C., Chiodo, S., Minganti, C., Capranica, L., & Tessitore, A. (2012). Technical and tactical analysis of youth taekwondo performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26, 1489.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318231a66d [7] Csataljay, G., James, N., Hughes, M. D., & Dancs, H. (2012). Performance differences between winning and losing basketball teams during close, balanced and unbalanced quarters. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 7, 341-355.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.72.02 [8] De Cesaris, M. (1999). Lezioni Di Muay Thai: Thai Boxing. Milano: De Vecchi Editore. [9] Delp, C. (2005). Muay Thai Basics: Introductory Thai Boxing Techniques. California: Blue Snake Books. [10] Eaves, S., & Broad, G. (2007). A comparative analysis of professional rugby league football playing patterns between Australia and the United Kingdom. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 7, 54-66. [11] El-Ashker, S. (2011). Technical and tactical aspects that differentiate winning and losing performances in boxing. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11, 356-364. [12] Falco, C., Landeo, R., Menescardi, C., Bermejo, J. L., & Estevan, I. (2012). Match analysis in a University Taekwondo championship. Advances in Physical Education, 2, 28-31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.21005 [13] Hayrinen, M., Hoivala, T., & Blomqvist, M. (2004). Differences between winning and losing teams in men’s European top-level volleyball. Proceedings of VI Conference Performance Analysis, 168177. [14] Hughes, M., & Bartlett, R. (2008). What is performance analysis? In M. Hughes, & I. M. Franks (Eds.), The essentials of performance analysis: An introduction (pp. 8-20). London: Routledge. [15] Hughes, M. (2004). Notational analysis-a mathematical perspective. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 4, 97-139. [16] Hughes, M., James, N., Hughes, M., Vuckovic, G., & Dancs, H. (2011). Performance analysis—The future. In: M. D. Hughes, H. Dancs, K. Nagyvaradi, T. Polgar, N. James, & G. Vuckovic (Eds.), Research methods and performance analysis (pp. 246-256). Szombathely: University of West Hungary, Institute of Sport Science. [17] Hughes, M. D., & Franks, I. M. (2004). Notational analysis of sport. London: E. & F.N. Spon. [18] Kanwongkham J. (1987) Muay Thai—Boxing. Bangkok: O.S. Printing House. [19] Kenny, D. A., & Judd, C. M. (1986). Consequences of violating the independence assumption in analysis of variance. Psychological Bulletin, 99, 422-431. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.3.422 [20] Kwok, H. H. M. (2012). Discrepancies in fighting strategies between Taekwondo medalists and non-medalists. Journal of human Sport and Exercise, 7, 806-814.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.74.08 [21] Lago-Penas, C., Lago-Ballesteros, J., Dellal, A., & Gómez, M. (2010). Games-related statistics that discriminated winning, drawing and losing teams from the Spanish soccer league. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9, 288-293. [22] Lupo, C., Tessitore, A., Minganti, C., & Capranica, L. (2010). Notational analysis of elite and sub-elite water polo matches. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24, 223-229.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c27d36 [23] Michielon, G., Scurati, R., Longo, S., & Invernizzi, P. L. (2008). Technical and tactical differences in regional and national level Thai boxers. Book of abstracts of the 13th Annual Congress of European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Tenutosi a Estoril nel. [24] Myers, T. D. (2000) An Interview with Master Chokechaichana Krutsuwan (Pimu). United Kingdom Muay Thai Magazine, 20-22. [25] Myers, T. D. (2007) Cultural differences in judging Muay Thai. Annual Conference of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Abstracts. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25, 235-369.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640410600958410 [26] Myers, T. D., & Balmer, N. J. (2012). The impact of crowd noise on officiating in Muay Thai: Achieving external validity in an experimental setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 1-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00346 [27] Myers, T. D., Balmer, N. J., Nevill, A. M., & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2006). Evidence of nationalistic bias in Muaythai. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 21-27. [28] Myers, T. D., Nevill, A. M., & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2010). An examination of judging consistency in a combat sport. Journal Quantitative Analysis of Sports, 6, 1-16.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2202/1559-0410.1178 [29] Myers, T. D., Nevill, A. M. & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2012). The influence of crowd noise upon judging decisions in Muay Thai. Advances in Physical Education, 2, 148-152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.24026 [30] Nevill, A. M., Atkinson, G., Hughes, M. D., & Cooper, S. M. (2002). Statistical methods for analysing discrete and categorical data recorded in performance analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 20, 829844. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026404102320675666 [31] O’Donoghue, P. (2010). Research methods for sports performance analysis. London: Routledge [32] O’Donoghue, P., & Ingram, B. (2001). A notational analysis of elite tennis strategy. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19, 107-115.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026404101300036299 [33] Ortega, E., Villarejo, D., & Palao, J. M. (2009). Differences in game statistics between winning and losing rugby teams in the Six Nations Tournament. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 8, 523-527. [34] Piorkowski, B. A., Lees, A., & Barton, G. J. (2011). Single maximal versus combination punch kinematics. Sports Biomechanics, 10, 1-11.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2010.547590 [35] Rasbash, J., Steele, F., Browne, W. J., & Goldstein, H. (2012) A user’s guide to MLwiN, v2.26. Centre for Multilevel Modelling, University of Bristol. [36] Ruangsa, Y. (1972) Textbook of Muay Thai. Thonburi: Charernkij Printing. [37] Saengsawang, P. (1979). The development of Muay Thai. M.A. Thesis, Thailand: Chulalongthorn University. [38] Thienvibul, C. (1977). Muay Thai. Bangkok: Suksasamphan Printing. [39] Thomson, E., Lamb, K., & Nicholas, C. (2012). The development of a reliable amateur boxing performance analysis template. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31, 1-13.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.738922 [40] World Muaythai Council (1995) Constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations. Bangkok: WMTC. [41] Yuvanont, P., Buristrakul, P., & Kittimetheekul, N. (2010). Audience satisfaction management of Thai Boxing in Thailand: A case study of Lumpini and Ratchadamnern Stadiums. Featured Research in Sport Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow. Columbia, SC, 50.
[1] Bliese, P. D., & Hanges, P. J. (2004). Being both too liberal and too conservative: The perils of treating grouped data as though they are independent. Organizational Research Methods, 7, 400-417.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318231a66d [2] Blomqvist, M., Luhtanen, P., & Laakso, L. (1998) Validation of a notational analysis system for badminton. Journal of Human Movement Studies, 35, 137-150. [3] Board of Boxing Sport (2002). Standard Rules and regulations for Boxing Sport Competitions B.E. 2545. Bangkok: Office of Professional Sports, Sports Authority of Thailand. [4] Brown, A. (2011) The fight for it all. Seidman Business Review, 17, 2223.
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/sbr/vol17/iss1/10 [5] Brown, M. B., Lauder, M., & Dyson, R. (2011). Notational analysis of sprint kayaking: Differentiating between ability levels. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11, 171-183. [6] Casolino, E., Lupo, C., Cortis, C., Chiodo, S., Minganti, C., Capranica, L., & Tessitore, A. (2012). Technical and tactical analysis of youth taekwondo performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26, 1489.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318231a66d [7] Csataljay, G., James, N., Hughes, M. D., & Dancs, H. (2012). Performance differences between winning and losing basketball teams during close, balanced and unbalanced quarters. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 7, 341-355.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.72.02 [8] De Cesaris, M. (1999). Lezioni Di Muay Thai: Thai Boxing. Milano: De Vecchi Editore. [9] Delp, C. (2005). Muay Thai Basics: Introductory Thai Boxing Techniques. California: Blue Snake Books. [10] Eaves, S., & Broad, G. (2007). A comparative analysis of professional rugby league football playing patterns between Australia and the United Kingdom. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 7, 54-66. [11] El-Ashker, S. (2011). Technical and tactical aspects that differentiate winning and losing performances in boxing. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11, 356-364. [12] Falco, C., Landeo, R., Menescardi, C., Bermejo, J. L., & Estevan, I. (2012). Match analysis in a University Taekwondo championship. Advances in Physical Education, 2, 28-31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.21005 [13] Hayrinen, M., Hoivala, T., & Blomqvist, M. (2004). Differences between winning and losing teams in men’s European top-level volleyball. Proceedings of VI Conference Performance Analysis, 168177. [14] Hughes, M., & Bartlett, R. (2008). What is performance analysis? In M. Hughes, & I. M. Franks (Eds.), The essentials of performance analysis: An introduction (pp. 8-20). London: Routledge. [15] Hughes, M. (2004). Notational analysis-a mathematical perspective. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 4, 97-139. [16] Hughes, M., James, N., Hughes, M., Vuckovic, G., & Dancs, H. (2011). Performance analysis—The future. In: M. D. Hughes, H. Dancs, K. Nagyvaradi, T. Polgar, N. James, & G. Vuckovic (Eds.), Research methods and performance analysis (pp. 246-256). Szombathely: University of West Hungary, Institute of Sport Science. [17] Hughes, M. D., & Franks, I. M. (2004). Notational analysis of sport. London: E. & F.N. Spon. [18] Kanwongkham J. (1987) Muay Thai—Boxing. Bangkok: O.S. Printing House. [19] Kenny, D. A., & Judd, C. M. (1986). Consequences of violating the independence assumption in analysis of variance. Psychological Bulletin, 99, 422-431. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.3.422 [20] Kwok, H. H. M. (2012). Discrepancies in fighting strategies between Taekwondo medalists and non-medalists. Journal of human Sport and Exercise, 7, 806-814.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2012.74.08 [21] Lago-Penas, C., Lago-Ballesteros, J., Dellal, A., & Gómez, M. (2010). Games-related statistics that discriminated winning, drawing and losing teams from the Spanish soccer league. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 9, 288-293. [22] Lupo, C., Tessitore, A., Minganti, C., & Capranica, L. (2010). Notational analysis of elite and sub-elite water polo matches. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24, 223-229.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181c27d36 [23] Michielon, G., Scurati, R., Longo, S., & Invernizzi, P. L. (2008). Technical and tactical differences in regional and national level Thai boxers. Book of abstracts of the 13th Annual Congress of European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Tenutosi a Estoril nel. [24] Myers, T. D. (2000) An Interview with Master Chokechaichana Krutsuwan (Pimu). United Kingdom Muay Thai Magazine, 20-22. [25] Myers, T. D. (2007) Cultural differences in judging Muay Thai. Annual Conference of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Abstracts. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25, 235-369.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640410600958410 [26] Myers, T. D., & Balmer, N. J. (2012). The impact of crowd noise on officiating in Muay Thai: Achieving external validity in an experimental setting. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 1-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00346 [27] Myers, T. D., Balmer, N. J., Nevill, A. M., & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2006). Evidence of nationalistic bias in Muaythai. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 21-27. [28] Myers, T. D., Nevill, A. M., & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2010). An examination of judging consistency in a combat sport. Journal Quantitative Analysis of Sports, 6, 1-16.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2202/1559-0410.1178 [29] Myers, T. D., Nevill, A. M. & Al-Nakeeb, Y. (2012). The influence of crowd noise upon judging decisions in Muay Thai. Advances in Physical Education, 2, 148-152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ape.2012.24026 [30] Nevill, A. M., Atkinson, G., Hughes, M. D., & Cooper, S. M. (2002). Statistical methods for analysing discrete and categorical data recorded in performance analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 20, 829844. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026404102320675666 [31] O’Donoghue, P. (2010). Research methods for sports performance analysis. London: Routledge [32] O’Donoghue, P., & Ingram, B. (2001). A notational analysis of elite tennis strategy. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19, 107-115.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/026404101300036299 [33] Ortega, E., Villarejo, D., & Palao, J. M. (2009). Differences in game statistics between winning and losing rugby teams in the Six Nations Tournament. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 8, 523-527. [34] Piorkowski, B. A., Lees, A., & Barton, G. J. (2011). Single maximal versus combination punch kinematics. Sports Biomechanics, 10, 1-11.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2010.547590 [35] Rasbash, J., Steele, F., Browne, W. J., & Goldstein, H. (2012) A user’s guide to MLwiN, v2.26. Centre for Multilevel Modelling, University of Bristol. [36] Ruangsa, Y. (1972) Textbook of Muay Thai. Thonburi: Charernkij Printing. [37] Saengsawang, P. (1979). The development of Muay Thai. M.A. Thesis, Thailand: Chulalongthorn University. [38] Thienvibul, C. (1977). Muay Thai. Bangkok: Suksasamphan Printing. [39] Thomson, E., Lamb, K., & Nicholas, C. (2012). The development of a reliable amateur boxing performance analysis template. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31, 1-13.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.738922 [40] World Muaythai Council (1995) Constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations. Bangkok: WMTC. [41] Yuvanont, P., Buristrakul, P., & Kittimetheekul, N. (2010). Audience satisfaction management of Thai Boxing in Thailand: A case study of Lumpini and Ratchadamnern Stadiums. Featured Research in Sport Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow. Columbia, SC, 50.