Recent Developments in Combat Sports Brain Injury Studies

Recently the Journal of Athletic Enhancement released a first of its kind study examining the cognitive performance on neuropsychological testing of MMA athletes. The study, authored by Christopher Heath and Jennifer Callahan, conducted a series of cognitive performance tests on 28 MMA athletes and a control group of 28 non MMA athletes. The MMA athletes … More Recent Developments in Combat Sports Brain Injury Studies

Documenting The Tolls of Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts in MMA

This Post was originally published in 2014 but is frequently updated.  Scroll down to read through a lengthy list of documented injuries and deaths from rapid extreme weight cuts.  If you are aware of other incidents that should be added to this list feel free to contact me with details. _____________________________________________________________ Following UFC 177, an event … More Documenting The Tolls of Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts in MMA

Knockouts By Punch Increased Tenfold After Gloves Introduced to MMA

Although the mandatory use of gloves in Mixed Martial Arts was one step which helped bring the sport from its ‘human-cockfighting‘ stigma into greater mainstream acceptance, this requirement likely increased the incidence of brain trauma for the sport’s participants. Gloves protect fighters’ fists from injuries and reduce superficial cuts to opponents but do little to protect an … More Knockouts By Punch Increased Tenfold After Gloves Introduced to MMA

More Medical Evidence on the Toll of Sub Concussive Trauma in Combat Sports

Adding to this site’s archived medical literature addressing safety issues in combat sports, an important study was published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association addressing objective brain changes in college football players. The study compared three groups: 1. College football players with no concussion history 2. College football players with a … More More Medical Evidence on the Toll of Sub Concussive Trauma in Combat Sports

“Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously reported “

Findings were published in this month’s American Journal of Sports Medicine studying “incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of knockouts (KOs) and technical knockouts (TKOs) from repetitive strikes in professional MMA“.  The study focused specifically on UFC’s pay per view cards. The study concludes that “Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously … More “Rates of KOs and TKOs in MMA are higher than previously reported “

ARP Calls For Weight Cut Reform in Combat Sports

Dangerous weight cutting practices have been attracting an ever increasing spotlight in the combat sports community.  The Association of Ringside Physicians have now weighed in on the issue providing the following press release (ARP Weight Cut Reform Press Release) calling for reform: Introduction Unhealthy and sometimes dangerous weight loss practices continue to be a significant problem in … More ARP Calls For Weight Cut Reform in Combat Sports

Two Sober Reminders of the Reality of Head Trauma in Combat Sports

There is no escaping the reality of the threat of head trauma for combat sport combatants.  Both acute injuries and prolonged sub-concussive exposure can lead to harsh consequences.  This week there are two stark reminders of this reality from the combat sports world. In tragic news South African middleweight Booto Guylain passed away after sustaining … More Two Sober Reminders of the Reality of Head Trauma in Combat Sports

Concussions Accompanied With Visible Alterations in the Brain

New research reveals that concussive injuries come with objectively measurable changes in the brain.  The findings are remarkable because while post concussive symptoms are well known this study gives insight into the structural damage that may cause these symptoms.  The findings were published this week in the Journal of Neurosurgeory showing that the brain indeed is physically … More Concussions Accompanied With Visible Alterations in the Brain

Association of Ringside Physicians Says “Eliminate” TRT TUE’s in Combat Sports

          If doctors are to blame for bringing Testosterone Replacement Therapy into combat sports perhaps they will also be the ones to take TRT TUE’s out.  The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians has issued a press release calling for a ban of  TRT TUE’s in combat sports.  Given the integral role … More Association of Ringside Physicians Says “Eliminate” TRT TUE’s in Combat Sports

Illegal PED’s And Science Based Suspensions In MMA

Caught doping in an Olympic Sport?  WADA will hit you with a 4 year ban for the first offence.   If you get caught doping a second time you face a lifetime ban.  Major professional sports, on the other hand, start with the equivalent of a slap on the wrist before moving to escalating suspensions. What … More Illegal PED’s And Science Based Suspensions In MMA