The White House is gearing up to host a UFC event as part of celebrations of 250 years of American independence. The fighters on the card are relying on body conditioning techniques that have been around for centuries to try to emerge victorious. Muay thai, karate and jiujitsu all use ancient practices that condition the body for their field.

The human body over time, and under the right stresses and strains, can become more resilient to physical and physiological challenges. One of the key scientific principles here is Wolff’s law – the idea that bone remodels itself in response to the loads placed on it. Studies have shown that in many sports the dominant limb develops denser bone than the non-dominant side. In martial arts, this effect is seen in both arms and legs.

In muay thai, fighters condition their shins by kicking banana trees – whose soft outer layers and substantial bulk make them ideal for the purpose. The repeated impact gradually adapts the tibia to the forces generated by kicking.

The tibia is the second-longest bone in the body. Like most bones in the body, it has a dense outer shell surrounding a cavity, crossed by tiny structural rods – a design that combines strength with minimal weight.

The thickness of the tibia is greatest at the points between 40-70% of its length........

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