Study – Concussed Kids Have 75% Higher Risk of Not Completing Grade 12

Although not combat sports specific a recent study published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport sheds important light on repercussions of youth concussion. The study, titled The impact of concussion on school performance in Australian children: a population-based matched cohort study, reviwed thousands of childreen who had concussions and compared them to … More Study – Concussed Kids Have 75% Higher Risk of Not Completing Grade 12

“Minimal Evidence” Alcohol (As Opposed To Repeated Brain Trauma) Responsible For Athlete Cognitive Problems

It is well documented that many athletes in contact and combat sports suffer long term cognitive problems. CTE is real. Its link to repeated head hits is now so well established that both the CDC and NIH admit that it is ’caused’ be repeated concussive and sub concussive blows. Despite knowledge of CTE (or ‘punch … More “Minimal Evidence” Alcohol (As Opposed To Repeated Brain Trauma) Responsible For Athlete Cognitive Problems

Study Documents Facial Injuries In Decade of UFC Bouts

Adding to this site’s data base of combat sports safety studies, a recent study was published in the Journal of Facial Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine documenting the facial injury rate in a decade of UFC bouts. The study, titled Characteristics of Facial Trauma in Professional Mixed Martial Arts, reviewed 10 years worth of medical records from UFC … More Study Documents Facial Injuries In Decade of UFC Bouts

Study – Some Fighters Enjoy Cognitive Improvement With Retirement

Data was recently published in the Journal Neurology demonstrating that some boxers and MMA fighters experience cognitive and even some brain structure improvement once they retire from fighting. The data was presented earlier this year at the Association of Ringside Physicians 2022 annual conference. It has now been published in the Journal Neurology titled Longitudinal … More Study – Some Fighters Enjoy Cognitive Improvement With Retirement

Neuropsychiatrist Recommends Boxer Specific CTE Screening Practices

CTE, a disease that can only be formally diagnosed post death, is probably the greatest occupational hazard combat sports athletes face. Finding tools to help fighters pull the plug on their career before too much damage is done is of significant importance. Educational initiatives about this presently incurable disease are a vital starting point. Among … More Neuropsychiatrist Recommends Boxer Specific CTE Screening Practices

Concussion Linked With “2-fold higher risk of subsequent suicide”

Although this study is a few years old its findings are important and worth adding to this site’s database of combat sports health and safety studies. In 2018 data was published finding that having a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury was linked with a “2-fold higher risk of subsequent suicide“. The study is titled … More Concussion Linked With “2-fold higher risk of subsequent suicide”

Study – Brain Injury May Lead To Increased Cardiovascular Disease

Damage from brain injury can go beyond the brain. That is the suggestion of freshly publsihed research. A study was published this month finding that there was a high rate of cardiovascular disease in individuals who had a past traumatic brain injury. The study, titled Association Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease Among … More Study – Brain Injury May Lead To Increased Cardiovascular Disease

Study – Women Absorb More Head Strikes Than Men in MMA

A study was recently published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health analysing head strike rates in MMA. In the study, titled Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts, the authors reviewed all numbered UFC events from the year 2000-2021. They reviewed the number of head impacts received and then analyzed these … More Study – Women Absorb More Head Strikes Than Men in MMA

United States National Institute of Health Admit CTE Caused by Serial Brain Injury

Medical uncertainty. A mountain of poor decisions can be built on this foundation. Today a major step was taken removing this base for the world of contact and combat sports. Earlier this year an important paper was published in Frontiers of Neurology finding that there is a causative connection between CTE and serial brain injuries … More United States National Institute of Health Admit CTE Caused by Serial Brain Injury

Ringside Doctors Working on Consensus Statement on Headgear in Combat Sports

Headgear. Does it help? Does it harm? Different combat sports have toyed with their rules over the years and medical studies on the value of headgear can be a bit scattered and incomplete. Trying to fill this gap the Association of Ringside Physicians highlighted data at their 2022 annual conference in Las Vegas Nevada giving … More Ringside Doctors Working on Consensus Statement on Headgear in Combat Sports