Epidemiology of Sports Related Concussion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Matthew Spano,Kristina Petersen,Mill Etienne,Donald Risucci

doi:10.3390/sports7020053

Abstract

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a rapidly growing grappling sport with a wide spectrum of participants. This cross-sectional study examined the lifetime prevalence of concussion in adult BJJ practitioners in the United States using a 17-item survey. A total of 778 (11.4% female) BJJ practitioners with a median age of 31 years completed the survey. Overall, the lifetime prevalence of the self-reported BJJ-related concussion was 25.2%. However, the prevalence was higher among females than males (43.0% versus 22.9%; X2(1,740) = 15.129; p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with significantly increased odds of having sustained a BJJ-related concussion included a prior history of concussion (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.14–2.74; p = 0.011) and female gender (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.04–3.65; p = 0.037). The median return to sports time was three days, with 30.3% of participants returning on the same day as being concussed. The present study represents the first epidemiological research examining the concussions in BJJ. The results underscore the need for increased education on concussions and return to sports guidelines among BJJ coaches and practitioners.

Highlights

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a rapidly growing grappling sport with a wide spectrum of participants.In contrast to combat sports, BJJ focuses on submissions such as joint locks, chokeholds, and control rather than punches and kicks
This study provides an initial examination of sports-related concussion in BJJ practitioners
We have shown that 25.2% of BJJ practitioners reported having a concussion while engaging in BJJ

Summary

Introduction

In contrast to combat sports, BJJ focuses on submissions such as joint locks, chokeholds, and control rather than punches and kicks. The goal is to control and submit the opponent as opposed to striking and inducing trauma. This lack of purposeful trauma distinguishes BJJ from combat sports such as boxing and mixed martial arts. Like other contact grappling sports, there is a risk for concussion. Sports-related concussion is typically a brief self-resolving impairment in neurologic function. The symptoms of a sports-related concussion are broad and varied and do not have to include loss of consciousness (LOC) [1]. Return to sports and time to recovery from symptoms are commonly studied among concussed athletes. Athletes with concussions who report more than four symptoms are at an increased risk for symptoms lasting greater than one week [2]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion