The short effect of sports liniment on muscular physiological responses and physical performance among male Muay Thai fighters: Case study

Background: Sports liniments are commonly used as a preparatory phase before an activity. Muay Thai fighters, such as Namman Muay (NM), have generally been used, but the scientific evidence on physiological and sports performance effects has not been studied. Objective: This case study aimed to investigate the effects of NM sport ‘boxing’ liniment on muscular physiological responses and physical performance outcomes among male Muay Thai fighters. Materials and methods: Four Muay Thai fighters were recruited into the case study and equally divided into two groups: the tape stripping (TS) (N=2) and the massage (MG) groups (N=2). The TS group received 20 tape strips across the muscle before receiving 3 mL of NM, while the MG group received 3 mL of NM with an effleurage massage for 5 minutes. Two tests were performed on Day 1) with no application of NM, and on Day 2), 3 mL NM was applied and randomly allocated into the TS group or MG group. Physiological responses such as skin temperature (ST), muscle oxygen (SmO₂), myoglobin (Mb), and hemoglobin (Hb) were evaluated by Fluke thermography and Moxy Monitor (Near Infrared Spectroscopy; NIRS). Physical performance as knee extensor and hip flexor strength was assessed using a Lafayette handheld dynamometer and isometric endurance hip flexion test as a time to failure (TTF). Data analysis was performed using a descriptive study, evaluating the data results between two days of the experiment. Results: ST did not increase after application of NM or receiving either TS or MG. SmO₂ Mb percentage for the TS group increased between day 1 and day 2, with a mean difference of 10.78. The MG group observed only one participant increasing Mb with a group mean difference of 7.56. The Hb percentage observed little change and remained relatively constant between the two days. There were no observational differences in knee extension strength; however, Hip flexion strength observed more significant increases in the TS group, with a mean of 2.45 kg, while the MG group observed a mean increase of 0.65 kg after receiving the NM. The isometric endurance test observed increases in both groups, with higher increases in the MG group mean of 66.43 sec and TS group mean of 37.33 sec, after having NM applied. The 3 mL NM applied onto the Rectus Femoris muscle as a precursor to a warm-up increased SmO₂ values. Conclusion: Tape stripping with NM enhances its permeation and may improve isometric strength, while massage with NM appears to increase isometric muscular endurance among male Muay Thai fighters.