Study raises concerns about young Muay Thai fighters

By The Nation

 

 

WITH CHEERS and the promise of money attracting some 200,000 under-15s to go into Muay Thai, human-rights and health advocates have raised concerns about the violation of their rights and the possible impact punches and kicks may have on their brain development.
 

As chair of the National Human Rights Commission’s panel on the elderly, disabled, children, education and public health, Chatsuda Chandeeying said this issue required prompt action because such competitions – in which the young fighters get paid for boxing – fell within the frame of child labour and abuse. She said the 1999 Boxing Act should be amended so it is in line with the 2003 Child Protection Act and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in order to ensure the protection of children. 

 

She also cited a study conducted by Ramathibodi Hospital’s Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Centre (AIMC) director and neuro-radiologist Dr Jiraporn Laothamatas. 

 

The study estimated that 200,000 to 300,000 children – some as young as four – were taking part in these boxing competitions nationwide and were getting exposed to injuries, especially to the brain.

 

The study claims that internal brain injuries, normally caused by direct blows to the head, are usually difficult to detect, but could have long-term effects and even lead to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s later in life.

 

Jiraporn’s study prompted the AIMC to discuss the matter last December with the hospital’s Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and seek appropriate solutions. 

 

The study showed brain damage and memory loss, as well as a high risk of neurological disorders among young fighters compared to their non-fighting peers. It also found that young fighters’ IQ scores were lower by 10 points. For instance, non-boxing youngsters scored between 90 and 110 points, which allows them to complete a diploma or the Bachelor’s Degree, while a child fighter with more than five years in the boxing career barely scored 84 points. Students scoring between 80 and 89 IQ points are usually only able to complete high school. 

 

“Such brain injuries will impair the young fighters’ education and well-being. These children have no other choice but to become professional boxers later in life. 

 

“How can they possibly study and find jobs? What will their quality of life be with a bruised brain and low IQ? They might develop neurological disorders later in life and become a burden on those around them,” Jirapan said. 

 

Despite the 1999 Boxing Act’s requirement that all Muay Thai boxers be above the age of 15, some 100,000 child fighters are well below that age limit. 

 

As the children are not registered with the Sports Authority of Thailand, they can only fight in unauthorised rings or at events held using the law’s loopholes. These children are also not always provided with sufficient safety gear. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30352006

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-13

A very common problem in sports where head contact is constant. Look at the Great Ali. But its also something that needs compensation or proper treatment facilities developed.

Maybe the use of a head guard might help for the younger ones. 

14 minutes ago, Snow Leopard said:

Maybe the use of a head guard might help for the younger ones. 

Maybe and this is a big  maybe.......not letting them do it would help them.......then again Id  say the parents and financial rewards were the main driver

Perhaps less obvious is that football also can cause similar brain injuries, but in this case it's more difficult to protect oneself since you actually use your head to pass or shot for goal.

Are the IQs of boxers lower because of getting hit in the head or are people of lower IQ earning a living boxing?

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the IQ of prostitutesis also lower.  They chose a way of making money that their intellect and effort matched.

 

Although I’m sure getting hit in the head a lot didn’t help Ali’s condition we don’t know if it would’ve happened anyway to him. People do get brain related illnesses without having been punched in the head a lot.

8 minutes ago, brianp0803 said:

Are the IQs of boxers lower because of getting hit in the head or are people of lower IQ earning a living boxing?

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the IQ of prostitutesis also lower.  They chose a way of making money that their intellect and effort matched.

 

Although I’m sure getting hit in the head a lot didn’t help Ali’s condition we don’t know if it would’ve happened anyway to him. People do get brain related illnesses without having been punched in the head a lot.

And what's your excuse? 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The study showed brain damage and memory loss, as well as a high risk of neurological disorders among young fighters compared to their non-fighting peers. It also found that young fighters’ IQ scores were lower by 10 points.

The study may be correct but one cannot make the leap of cause and effect without real evidence. As brianp points out above, we do not have a comparison of their IQ before and after their years in boxing.

2 hours ago, Snow Leopard said:

Maybe the use of a head guard might help for the younger ones. 

Surprisingly it doesnt help, it has been studied in boxing. The logic is that while it does protect the head a bit, it also makes the head a bigger target resulting in more blows to the head.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“How can they possibly study and find jobs?

Young figthers are 99% from low income families; farmers and the like. Boxing is their only chance of success in life. They shouldnt pretend these kids would become scientists otherwise, although there is the smart exception here and there.

Watched a programme a couple of nights ago on the death of Freddy Mills.

Brings up some interesting points on brain damage from boxing.

2 hours ago, Snow Leopard said:

Maybe the use of a head guard might help for the younger ones. 

Head guards do <deleted> all and limit your peripherals making it harder to see what's coming whilst having the added bonus of making your bonce a bigger target. I hated headgear and never wore it. Also like gloves most protective gear in boxing is to save your hands and knuckles not your head. Look lets be realistic not only here but worldwide in low socio economic groups fighting or sports is seen as a way out. Really what are the options in Thailand later in life for these boys who get virtually no formal education? motorcy taxi, work on a door, farmer? At least Muay Thai will give them discipline, fitness and for a very small few maybe a way out or enough to live a decent life.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by starky

Of course boxers get brain injuries. Do you remember the term "Punch drunk" ? That is from a long time ago. 

9 minutes ago, Bob12345 said:

Young figthers are 99% from low income families; farmers and the like. Boxing is their only chance of success in life. They shouldnt pretend these kids would become scientists otherwise, although there is the smart exception here and there.

Even if you are correct your posit condemns them to a stereotype and suggests they should live within it. Because there IS NO safe way for children to participate in full contact sports that involve sharp blows to the head,  only people who are of age and have an understanding of the long term effects should be allowed these ridiculous activities. I see kids who look like they are 5 or 6 running and training for Muay Thai and I’m sorry but it’s flat wrong. Receiving continued blows during the development of the brain, does that even sound like that’s ok somehow? Pathetic.

1 hour ago, brianp0803 said:

Are the IQs of boxers lower because of getting hit in the head or are people of lower IQ earning a living boxing?

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if the IQ of prostitutesis also lower.  They chose a way of making money that their intellect and effort matched.

 

Although I’m sure getting hit in the head a lot didn’t help Ali’s condition we don’t know if it would’ve happened anyway to him. People do get brain related illnesses without having been punched in the head a lot.

How did you make the jump from child head injuries to prostitutes and back to head injuries? 

The mind boggles? 

23 minutes ago, erkho said:

Even if you are correct your posit condemns them to a stereotype and suggests they should live within it. 

No, i just stated the facts.

 

I've spend quite some time in muay thai camps all around Thailand and the backgrounds of fighters is always the same. That does not mean i support it, condem it, or stereotype them... its just the truth. There are many poor families who send their kids to famous camps in the hope the 10-year old can support the family income a bit with prize money. I have not seen any rich family risking the health of their kids for a few hundred baht. 

4 year olds cannot hit hard enough to cause harm. I'm not sure what age kids start to be able to hit hard enough to cause potential injury, but it sure as shit isn't 4. 

23 minutes ago, greenchair said:

How did you make the jump from child head injuries to prostitutes and back to head injuries? 

The mind boggles? 

Maybe someone else's brain is boggled.... 

The lower brain volume of the Thai people means that less damage will be done.

if the punches dont give them brain damage the burning of rubbish and forests, pollution in general and crappy food will.

They needed a study to know that

for sure getting hit on the head impacts your brain

that if you have one to start with

these violent sports should be banned 

they are primitive human attitudes

like religions should not be needed in a friendly world

"...the possible impact punches and kicks may have on their brain development..."

 

That explains a lot. Especially why women seem to be the industrious and responsible ones.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by jaltsc

All over Thailand, there are "boxing stables" into which poor families place their sons to be trained as boxers from an early age. The family do not have to pay for the son's upkeep. The stable will take the kid's earnings from his fights. It's a murky business. Long-term neurological health is probably pretty low down on everybody's list of priorities.

"on their brain development..."   bit of an oxymoron.

1 hour ago, greenchair said:

How did you make the jump from child head injuries to prostitutes and back to head injuries? 

The mind boggles? 

Errrr... That would be "prostitutesis".  

4 hours ago, kannot said:

Maybe and this is a big  maybe.......not letting them do it would help them.......then again Id  say the parents and financial rewards were the main driver

u ever consider that the kids like it as a sport?? i do! i did the same when i was young never regretted it, i am fine with the remaining parts  of my brain

I am sure all these questions can be laid to rest. Regarding, IQ-level and development at the age of 12-15 is no longer a problem. Most parents put a stop to healthy development for most children straight after birth.

Simple answer is don't let the kids leave the house.......... <sigh>

 

As far as I am aware, we don't have a shortage of kids in the world.

5 hours ago, Snow Leopard said:

Maybe the use of a head guard might help for the younger ones. 

Actually, head guards make the situation worse. They allow the fighter to absorb more blows to the head without being knocked unconscious, and every one of those blows is jarring the brain, the brain stem, and the connective tissue. In fact, I remember one doctor who loved boxing saying 'if you want to reduce brain damage in boxing, take away the gloves and the head guards.' The gloves protect the hands, not the brain, and so they allow fighters to keep punching and punching hard without breaking their own bones. So they have more opportunity to inflict more damage.

Edited August 13, 20187 yr by RobertH

Wow. So many brain specialists here...