Safety Studies – Page 24 – Combat Sports Law

There is Nothing Mild (Nor Unusual) About TJ Grant’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

January 12, 2014

TJ Grant’s slow recovery made headlines again this week with reports that he still is not cleared to fight since last year’s concussive injury. Is there really anything unusual about this timeline given that he just had a “mild” concussion? Unfortunately the answer is no. The reality of post concussive symptoms is they can take … More There is Nothing Mild (Nor Unusual) About TJ Grant’s Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

How Much Head Trauma is Too Much in a Combat Sports Career?

December 27, 2013

C.T.E. (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is a progressive degenerative disease which is linked to combat and other contact sports such as hockey and football. When an athlete experiences too many concussive or sub concussive shots over the course of a career they are at risk of developing CTE which can have profound consequences later in life. … More How Much Head Trauma is Too Much in a Combat Sports Career?

Study Shows Multiple Subconcussive Hits Take Their Toll on Brain Function

December 12, 2013

As previously discussed intense and frequent sparring can have more negative effects on brain function than the frequency of knockouts in competition. A further study addressing the effects of cumulative subconcussive hits was recently published in the journal Neurology. You can find an abstract of the study here. The author compared a group of NCAA hockey … More Study Shows Multiple Subconcussive Hits Take Their Toll on Brain Function

Combat Sports Safety Literature Update

November 15, 2013

In my ongoing efforts to highlight relevant safety studies addressing combat sports, the following articles are worth reviewing for those interested in this subject: Effects of taekwondo kicks on head accelerations and injury potential Knowledge about sports-related concussion: is the message getting through to coaches and trainers? Dehydration and Performance on Clinical Concussion Measures in … More Combat Sports Safety Literature Update

Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

October 4, 2013

Yesterday I questioned the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services’ decision to uphold a win by Ben Rothwell after he tested positive for elevated TRT. Dr. Johnny Benjamin was quick to identify a more important issue, the fact that a licence was issued in the first place. Rothwell was granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption … More Athletic Commissions Must Not Ignore Profound Brain Trauma

With Tragedy At Hand, Weight Cut Reform Takes the Spotlight in MMA

September 27, 2013

Update October 7, 2013 – MMAJunkie just published an article with Dr Benjamin calling for specific weight cut reforms as follows: Multiple, official, random year-round weigh-ins to establish every fighter’s “normal” weight Fighters barred from competing in a weight class that’s lighter than 90 percent of their established normal weight Short-notice (less than 30 days) … More With Tragedy At Hand, Weight Cut Reform Takes the Spotlight in MMA

TJ Grant Goes 2-0 When it Comes To Concussion Management

September 17, 2013

Earlier this year I commended Canada’s TJ Grant for doing the right thing by stepping away from a scheduled UFC title shot due to a concussive injury sustained during practice. Brain health should not be taken lightly and his choice, as difficult as it must have been, was worth positively highlighting. A second title shot … More TJ Grant Goes 2-0 When it Comes To Concussion Management

Concussion Common Sense Leadership From Canada’s TJ Grant

July 24, 2013

Earlier this month Brian Stann retired from his successful MMA career due to concerns regarding possible long term implications from traumatic brain injury. Last week, Cole Harbour MMA fighter TJ Grant committed an equally impressive move in deference to head injury. He stepped down from his UFC lightweight title shot scheduled next month. This, despite not … More Concussion Common Sense Leadership From Canada’s TJ Grant

Edmonton Commission Looks into MMA Weight Cut Reform

May 23, 2013

Research indicates that many MMA athletes compete in a “significantly dehydrated” state due to the weight cuts they put themselves through to make their contracted weight. This in turn leads to noted increased injury risks including increased risk of brain trauma. I previously highlighted this issue which led to a good discussion here, and further … More Edmonton Commission Looks into MMA Weight Cut Reform