Adding to this site’s database of combative sports safety studies, a paper was recently published comparing the extent of hand/wrist injuries for MMA athletes compared to boxers. In the study, titled “Degenerative changes in the hand and wrist in elite MMA fighting – an MRI study in comparison to boxing” 11 MMA fighters and 10 … More Study – MMA Fighters Sustain Worse Wrist/Hand Damage than Boxers

An article was recently published in the South African Journal of Sports Medicine discussing the ethics of doctors serving as ringside physicians for combat sports, activities that are inherently dangerous for brain health. The paper, titled “Neurologist at Ringside – To be or not to be?” notes that combative sports “are universally thought to be … More Neurologist Discusses Ethics of Doctors Serving as Ringside Physicians

Adding to this site’s archive of combat sports safety studies, a recent study was published in The Journal of Primary Prevention reviewing injury frequency and types from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Mixed Martial Arts. In the study, titled Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Mixed Martial Arts Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments, 2008-2015 … More Study Documents Injury Types and Rates From MMA, BJJ and Judo From US Emergency Rooms

A study was recently published at BMJ Journals reviewing the injury rates and risk factors for injuries in sanctioned MMA bouts in Calgary, Alberta.  In the study, titled “Risk factors associated with injury and concussion in sanctioned amateur and professional mixed martial arts bouts in Calgary, Alberta” the authors reviewed amateur and professional MMA records … More Study – Concussion Most Common Injury Type in Reviewed MMA Bouts

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies, research was recently published finding that MMA athletes who were found doping in competition had improved measurable physical variables in their bouts compared to their non-doping peers. In the study, titled “Exploratory study on illegal pharmacologic agents in mixed martial arts performance” the authors identified bouts … More Study – Doping MMA Athletes Measured With Improved Physical Variables Compared to Non-Dopers

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies, findings were recently published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research noting that MMA athlete that resort to rapid extreme weight loss techniques reported an increase in a host of negative cognitive findings both before and after competition compared to their peers who did not … More Study – Rapid Weight Loss Practices in MMA Associated With Negative Mood and Cognitive Symptoms Before and After Competition

A case study was published recently in the Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism linking rapid weight cutting as a possible culprit in the death of a mixed martial artist. In the article, titled Case Study: Fatal Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Possibly Related to Drastic Weight Cutting, the authors reviewed the case of a fighter that died … More Case Study Links Mixed Martial Artist’s Death Possibly to Drastic Weight Cutting

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies, an article was recently published in the Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise looking at the rate of finishes in Mixed Martial Arts where a bout was stopped due to Knockout or Technical Knockout involving head trauma.  The data revealed that the combined incidence of KOs … More Study – KO / TKO Rate Due to Head Trauma Lower in Female MMA Compared to Boxing

Adding to this site’s archived combat sports safety studies, an article was recently published by the American College of Sports Medicine discussing the hydration levels of Olympic Boxers and Judokas, both of whom compete in weight restricted sports (sports with weight classes where competitors often make weight with dehydration playing a role).  The study revealed that … More Study – 100% of Tested Brazilian Olympic Boxers and Judokas Dehydrated