Neurologic Injuries in Boxing and Other Combat Sports
Section snippets
Mechanisms of neurological injuries in combat sports
The mechanism of neurological injury varies depending upon the combat sport discipline. In boxing, head injuries generally occur because of contact between the fist and head, head and head, or head and some part of the boxing ring. In other combat sport disciplines, head contact can occur in all of those manners, and also as a result of striking other surfaces (the palms, fingers, elbows, legs, feet, and so forth). In boxing it is thought that the more serious neurological injuries result from
Acute neurological injuries
Acute neurological injuries (ANI) occurring to combat sport participants have been studied extensively, especially in the sport of boxing. Numerous case studies of particular ANI types have been published (for example, a number of case reports relating to vertebral or carotid artery dissections exist in the combat sport literature) [25], [26], [27]; however, the ANI leading to fatalities and those of concussion have been the focus of the majority of the literature, and are discussed here.
Risk factors for acute neurological injuries in the combat sports
Risk factors for the development of any injuries in the combat sports are not well-established [55]. This is also true for ANI. Although a number of potential risk factors have been hypothesized, well-designed epidemiological studies have not been completed [14], [56]. The majority of factors of interest are anecdotal rather than evidence-based. Some factors common to all combat sport styles have been noted for further attention that may relate to ANI occurrence. These include age, gender,
Chronic neurological injuries
Along with deaths, chronic neurological injuries (CNI) associated with combat sport participation have dominated the published international literature. In particular, boxing has again received the most attention, and such injuries in this sport led to the coining of a term synonymous with CNI in boxing—the “punch-drunk syndrome.” When first coined in 1928 by a physician in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the condition was known in boxing circles and was largely “diagnosed” by
Risk factors for chronic neurological injuries in the combat sports
Table 4 demonstrates the results of the studies undertaken to determine the effect of certain factors on CNI development in the combat sports. These results relate to the sport of boxing, because no studies in other combat sports have been designed to document CNI risk factors. In boxing, studies have shown that having a boxing career greater than 10 years, a greater number of bouts (more than 150), and the presence of the apolipoprotein E4 phenotype all increase the likelihood of chronic
Prevention of neurological injuries in the combat sports
The limited evidence of causes and mechanisms for neurological injuries in the combat sports hinders the ability to make widespread changes that may reduce their likelihood; however, a number of potential strategies have been suggested by various authors, although limited prospective evidence of their effectiveness currently exists.
Table 5 lists some of the commonly suggested injury prevention methods for combat sports, and an evaluation of their current state of evidence.
Summary
Neurological injuries of both an acute and chronic nature have been reported in the literature for various combat sport styles; however, the incidence and prevalence of these injury types vary greatly within the literature, and where they have been measured accurately, limited evidence exists for the causes and mechanisms of these injuries. This hinders any programs aimed at reducing neurological injury occurrence in these sports. Systematic ongoing surveillance systems that detail causes of
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It's in the game: A review of neurological lesions associated with sports
2023, Journal of the Neurological SciencesWhen disaster strikes in the ring: a 20-year study of head and neck injuries secondary to boxing
2022, British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryCitation Excerpt :As such, it is not a surprise that the majority of boxing-related trauma takes place in the head and neck region. A study on injury rates and risk factors in competitive boxing from 1997 to 2005 found that majority of injuries occurred in the head region: 61.7% of the injuries were open wounds/lacerations to the head region, followed by concussions, which comprised 11.7% of the injuries.5 Another study examining professional boxing matches in the state of Nevada also determined that the majority of injuries (74.73%) were in the head and neck region.16
The potential value of early screening for neurological deficits in participants in certain sports
2011, Medical HypothesesCitation Excerpt :Neurobiology studies, comparing the brains of people with a history of Alzheimer’s disease with the brains of retired boxers manifesting neurological impairment have discovered that there is a molecular basis that predisposes a person to Alzheimer’s disease [36]. The martial nature of box and similar sports becomes evident with the onset of neurological outbreaks on the wane of athlete’s career [6,37]. Although martial arts competitors, boxers, and fighting individuals in general are supervised by a referee, and fighters (amateur) are equipped with headgear, a number of competitions are usually upheld without headgear [10].
Epidemiology of injuries in competition taekwondo: A meta-analysis of observational studies
2009, Journal of Science and Medicine in SportCitation Excerpt :After discarding irrelevant citations from the electronic search and performing a hand search, a total of 48 relevant and potentially eligible studies were identified and evaluated for inclusion in this review. Thirty-four articles2–7,9–16,24–33,36,37,39,40,42–47 did not meet the inclusion criteria. See Appendix A for a list of excluded studies and the reasons for exclusion.
Differences in executive functioning in amateur college boxers with different levels of experience and weight category
2023, Cuadernos de Psicologia del DeporteConcussion occurrence and recognition in professional boxing and MMA matches: toward a concussion protocol in combat sports
2021, Physician and Sportsmedicine