This month the Association of Ringside Physicians, doctors specializing in overseeing the health and safety of athletes at combat sports events, published their latest position statement on headgear. In short they state that “Headguards should not be relied upon to reduce the risk of concussion or other traumatic brain injury. They have not been shown to prevent these types of injuries in combat sports“.
They note that headgear has value in reducing cuts and certain other injuries but when it comes to preventing traumatic brain injury the have no proven value. They even caution that whatever injury reducing value they may have this can be offset by “more risk taking” by those wearing headgear having an artificial sense of safety.
The full statement is as follows:
Combat Sports Law 