Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published at the University of Cambridge discussing the efficacy of MRI and Neuropsychological testing to detect early signs of brain damage in amateur boxers. In the study, titled “Advanced magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment for detecting brain injury in a prospective cohort … More Study – MRI and Neuropsychological Testing “Could Not Detect any Evidence of Brain Injury”in Boxers

The California State Athletic Commission has taken a step which has received little publicity but is deserving of attention by the combative sports community.  They have produced a series of videos focusing on fighter health and safety issues, namely acute traumatic brain injury, cumulative concussions and dangers of dehydration.  With CTE being a potential reality … More California State AC Releases Series of Educational Fighter Health Videos

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies a recent study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine addressing head injury rates in high level karate competitions. In the study, titled “Low Risk of Concussions in Top Level Karate Competitions” the authors reviewed injuries that took place in 4 consecutive karate world championships. … More Study “Low Risk of Concussions in Top-Level Karate Competition”

An article was published in the latest edition of the South African Journal of Sports Medicine levying criticism at professional boxing’s lack of standardized protocols for athletes to return to training/competition after suffering concussive injury. The article, authored by Dr. Sethi from the Department of Neurology, New York Presbyterian Hospital is titled “Post-concussion return to … More Returning to Combat Sports After Sustaining a Concussion

(Image via this PBS article) A worthwhile study was recently published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology discussing what is known and not known about CTE in athletes competing in contact sports. In the study, titled “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Athletes Involved with High-Impact Sports” the authors reviewed major clinical studies identifying CTE … More Of Known Cases Professional Boxers Show Most Debilitating CTE Symptoms

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies and weight cut reform articles, a study was recently published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance addressing the impact of rapid weight loss / gain and the outcome of boxing bouts. In the study, titled “Weight Re-Gain is Not Linked to Success in … More Study – Boxers Enjoy No Competitive Advantage From Rapid Weight Cut Practices

For those who study safety issues in combative and contact sports a useful article was published in the latest edition of Neurotrauma and Critical Care News discussing the state of science connecting CTE and other brain injury to contact sports. The article, titled “Head Impacts in Contact Sports and Long-Term Brain Degeneration” offers an easy to … More Neurotrauma Journal Discusses Head Impacts in Sports and Brain Degeneration

CTE is a part of combat sports.  In fact the disease, which used to be called dementia pugilistica (ie “punch drunk”) has its origins traced back to boxing. MMA is not immune from CTE.  It is a real risk. Several athletes likely have the disease with fighters such as Gary Goodridge being diagnosed with CTE … More MMA Has First Proven Case of CTE

Adding to this site’s archives of safety studies in combat sports, a recent article was published in the Journal of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Research further noting the connection between neurological system impairment and the frequency and severity of subconcussive head impacts. In the article, titled “PROTECT THE PLAYER, PROTECT THE GAME: SUBCONCUSSION AND CHRONIC TRAUMATIC … More Subconcussive Impacts – Frequency and Magnitude Matter