Development of a Muay Thai exercise program in conjunction with Thai music for the physical fitness of the elderly

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) study the physical fitness of older adults before and after using the Muay Thai exercise program with Thai music, and 2) assess their satisfaction with the Muay Thai exercise program with Thai music. The sample groups consisted of 60 older adults in the Pa Tan Subdistrict Municipality, Mueang District, Lopburi Province. Purposive sampling was used to select participants based on the following criteria: They were healthy, had no hearing or speech problems, and were able to walk or move independently. The research instruments included: 1) a Muay Thai exercise program with Thai music; 2) a five-item physical fitness test for Thai citizens aged 60-69 years: body mass index (BMI), hand touching behind the back, 30-second chair-sitting, brisk walk around a pillar, and 2-minute knee lifts; and 3) a questionnaire to assess the elderly's satisfaction with the Muay Thai exercise program with Thai music. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, and standard deviations. Data were analyzed using comparative statistics (t-test).

          The results of the study revealed that: 1) The average physical fitness of the elderly before and after 12 weeks of training was significant different at the .05 level for the items: touching the back of the right hand on top, standing and sitting on a chair, walking briskly around a pillar, and standing and raising the feet up and down in 2 minutes. The body mass index (BMI) items did not differ significantly at the .05 level. 2) There was a high level of satisfaction after exercising using Muay Thai martial arts stances, including punches, knees, feet, and elbows, accompanied by the Lao Wiang Pa Tan song.