Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To observe whether there are any injuries to muscle and deleterious effects on the liver and kidneys during training and after competition in Thai boxers. METHODS: Serum levels of intracellular enzymes and specific markers in the urine were measured during training and after fighting in Thai boxers. RESULTS: During the training period, the activities of muscle enzymes were significantly increased whereas those of the liver enzymes and creatinine clearance were not changed. After a match, on the other hand, both liver and muscle enzyme activities were elevated but renal function was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The training protocol for Thai boxers has virtually no deleterious effect on liver and renal function, but damage to skeletal muscle cells may occur. However, competition may cause muscle injury without any obvious damage to the liver and kidneys.