Concussion prevention starts in the gym

Abstract

Concussions are common in combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). In these sports every punch thrown to the opponent’s head is thrown with the intention of winning by causing a knockout (KO) which is nothing but a concussive head injury. Other acute traumatic brain injuries such as traumatic subdural hematoma (SDH), epidural hematoma (EDH), intracranial hematoma (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remain an omnipresent danger. Traumatic SDH is the most common boxing related mortality reported in medical literature. These combatants either collapse in the ring/cage or soon thereafter. Many perish due to the TBI. Others may survive due to a timely decompressive craniectomy but are left behind with severe and persistent neurological deficits. Analysis of some of these combat sports related mortalities suggest that the combatant may have suffered a concussion while sparring in training camp. A concussed boxer entering the ring is vulnerable to another concussive injury and second impact syndrome. It is thus imperative that concussions in training camps and gyms be recognized and attended to in a timely fashion.