Análise da produção científica sobre o muay thai entre os anos 2000 e 2025

Abstract

This research aims to analyze Portuguese-language scientific production regarding Muay Thai from 2000 to 2025. Using a qualitative-quantitative, descriptive, and documentary approach, 87 publications were identified, from which 16 were selected based on relevance, quality, and accessibility criteria. The study investigates the main themes, research methodologies, and publication contexts of the selected works. The results indicate a significant increase in academic interest in Muay Thai in recent years, particularly after 2015, with a focus on topics related to physical health, sports performance, psychological well-being, and social inclusion. Moreover, the findings highlight methodological diversity, with a prevalence of cross-sectional, descriptive, and qualitative studies. The documentary analysis revealed that Muay Thai is understood not only as a sport but also as an educational, therapeutic, and sociocultural practice with transformative potential in school and community settings. This research contributes to mapping the academic field and suggests paths for future investigations, reaffirming the importance of Muay Thai as a multidisciplinary object of study.