Two months ago on the beautiful chilled out island of Koh Lanta, I enjoyed some local Muay Thai boxing at the small local stadium. Muay Thai boxing is Thailand’s national sport and definitely a unique experience should you ever visit this wonderful country.
While I took many things away from my experience at the Lanta Thai Boxing Stadium, one particular aspect of the fight made a fitting parallel to an office worker’s life. It took me a few rounds to notice, but it then became very clear.
Between each round, the fighters have 2 minutes to rest, hydrate themselves and receive some on-the-go coaching from their trainer. When the bell rings signaling the start of the next round, the boxers jump to their feet in preparation to go to battle again. The trainers then pulled each of the boxers feet high into the air (as high as their head…yes, these guys are flexible!) to stretch out their hamstrings. Thai boxers rely heavily on flexibility in their hips and hamstrings in order to kick their opponent with power and pinpoint accuracy. Sitting down for 2 minutes between rounds places the hamstrings in a flexed position and thus, the need to stretch them out to their optimal length is essential. Without flexibility, the boxer not only risks losing the fight, but also injury.
After the quick hamstring stretch, the Thai boxers place their arms on and lean back against the ropes, facing the middle of the ring. Two quick backward bends against the ropes and “ding ding”, the next round is about start. Back to work!
While seemingly nonexistent at first, the parallels between the desk jockey (office worker) that sits at a computer all day and a Thai boxer became clear to me as I checked my email the day after the fights.
In a seated position in front of a computer, your hamstrings and hip flexors are in flexed positions. Now, check your lower back. It is likely in a stretched position with the natural curve pretty much gone, placing undue stress to your lower spine. It is quite common for desk jockeys to have very tight hamstrings / hip flexors coupled with stressed lower vertebrae and muscles of the lower back. Over time, muscular imbalances can develop causing pain and dysfunction.
When the boxer sits on his stool for 2 minutes between every round, it provides ample time for his hamstrings and hip flexors to tighten and his lower back to seize out its strong, natural curve. Obviously, especially detrimental to a Thai boxer!
Here is the video. The hamstring stretch occurs 10 seconds in and the back bend at 22 seconds in.
So, what’s my point? My point is that both the Thai boxer and the desk jockey need to periodically offset the stresses that sitting places on the body in order to continually be able to perform their respective activity. Muscular imbalances in both situations can eventually lead to decreased performance and increased likelihood of injury.
If a desk jockey that sits for most of the day does not take frequent breaks to stretch, he or she will eventually break down. Muscular imbalances will become more pronounced over time and pain may occur.
For the Thai boxer, if he does not have maximum flexibility at his hip (hamstrings, hip flexors and low back), his kicks will be less potent and far less accurate. This puts him at risk to lose the fight and to get hurt.
So, to all you desk jockeys out there ( I am one of them), plan frequent breaks throughout your day to perform some stretches. Be sure to focus on your hamstrings and hip flexors. Also, get in some back bends. By being proactive, you are at far less risk of not being able to perform your job and to avoid the l knockout punch!
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