Safety Studies – Page 24 – Combat Sports Law

Concussions Accompanied With Visible Alterations in the Brain

February 5, 2014

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

January 27, 2014

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

January 27, 2014

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

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