Assessment Of Neurological Function In Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Following A Single Training Session

Abstract

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport that utilizes a variety of striking, grappling, and submission techniques in training and competition. Consequently, MMA fighters routinely incur head impacts that may put them at risk for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and/or neurodegenerative brain disease later in life. Fighters compete rather infrequently, though often train year-round; thus, cumulative exposure to injury is higher during training than competition. However, the neurologic effects of MMA training sessions are unknown. PURPOSE: To determine if a single MMA training session is associated with impaired neurologic function of MMA fighters. METHODS: Ten amateur and professional MMA fighters (8 men, 2 women; 26.3 ± 2.6 yr) were evaluated at baseline and immediately following an MMA training session (post-training), using several objective assessments of neurologic function. Participants were evaluated for eye movement speed and accuracy (King-Devick test; KD); VOMS, near point convergence (Vestibular / Ocular-Motor Screening; NC), hand-eye reaction time (FitLight Trainer; RT), visuomotor ability (FitLight Trainer; VM), static balance (Wii Balance Board; SB), and multiple object tracking speed (NeuroTracker; MOT). RESULTS: Total KD times were significantly faster following a training session (35.86 ± 8.05 vs. 43.34 ± 8.92 s; P < 0.001). Likewise, RT (0.43 ± 0.04 vs. 0.48 ± 0.04 s; P = 0.003) and VM (1.06 ± 0.22 vs. 1.20 ± 0.25 s; P = 0.011) times improved significantly following training. MOT speed (2.15 ± 0.26 vs. 2.03 ± 0.34 m·s-1; P = 0.442) and NC distance (5.18 ± 5.12 vs. 6.62 ± 5.85 cm; P = 0.284) also improved following training, although these changes were not significant. SB was virtually identical from baseline to post-training (2.27 ± 0.95 vs. 2.27±1.30 cm2; P = 0.994). CONCLUSION: Compared to baseline measures, some assessments of neurologic function revealed significant changes after a single MMA training session. Contrary to what was expected, all significant changes were the result of improved performance from baseline to post-training. Based on these findings, neurologic function of MMA fighters does not appear to be impaired following a single training session. Furthermore, MMA training bouts may be associated with acute improvements in eye movement, reaction time and visuomotor ability.