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Head injuries in Amateur Boxing
Head Injuries in Amateur Boxing S. Tan *~, D.Ghougassian2, W. Baker1 & P. K. Johnson ~ ~Advanced Sports Research Institute, Sydney 2prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney
Background: Head injury related to Boxing is repeatedly cited in the literature as an aetiological agent in chronic neurologic diseases. Yet the cases cited do not have strong epidemiologic support. This is the first study to address a large group of amateur boxers with known details of head injuries sustained. Methods: Cross-sectional study of all active members of the NSW Amateur Boxing Association was undertaken. Head injuries sustained were either knockouts or TKOs. Results: Out of the 250 known boxers, 168 replied (67% response rate). Of the respondents, 12%, 3% and 1% reported being knocked out OR TKO once, twice and three times respectively. The 18 knockouts were all less than five minutes. Of the 800 + bouts fought, no boxer reported PTA of longer than 24 hours. A single boxer had surgery to the head. Discussion: The cumulative rate of mild head injuries in amateur boxing and the lack of severe head injury noted in this primary study must bring into question the accepted notion that chronic neurologic sequelae can be directly attributed to "boxing" per se. Conclusion: Confusion between professional and amateur codes of boxing has often resulted in poorly formed opinion as to the etiologic interplay between boxing, head injuries, and subsequent neurologic sequelae.
Concussion, alcohol, fatigue and performance impairment A. Collie1,2,3., P.Maruffl,2, M. Makdissi 3, P. McCrory3 & D. Darby~,2 ~CogState Ltd, Melbourne, Australia 2Centre for Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Australia 3Centre for Sports Medicine Research and Education, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Mild cognitive impairments occur following concussion, however the measures used to communicate the magnitude of these impairments are arbitrary and generally meaningless to individuals without knowledge of psychological testing. We compared directly the magnitude of the cognitive impairment following concussion with that occurring in alcohol and fatigue affected individuals. A brief (15min) computerized test battery assessing multiple cognitive domains (CogSport) was administered to 15 sportspeople 2 days post concussion, 40 matched control subjects with Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BACs) of 0.05% and 0.10%, and to the same control subjects over 24 hours of sustained wakefulness. The magnitude of cognitive impairments were determined by comparing post-concussion, alcohol or fatigue results to baseline data recorded at earlier assessments. Psychomotor impairments following concussion were of equivalent magnitude to those detected in individuals with a BAC of 0.05% and after 22 hours of sustained wakefulness. However, fatigue and alcohol affected individuals displayed a more global pattern of performance impairment than concussed individuals. Cognitive deficits following concussion are of equivalent magnitude to those occurring at a BAC equivalent to the legal Australian driving limit. The severity of cognitive impairment in the days following concussion are easily communicated using BAC or hours of sustained wakefulness as a reference point.
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Background: Head injury related to Boxing is repeatedly cited in the literature as an aetiological agent in chronic neurologic diseases. Yet the cases cited do not have strong epidemiologic support. This is the first study to address a large group of amateur boxers with known details of head injuries sustained. Methods: Cross-sectional study of all active members of the NSW Amateur Boxing Association was undertaken. Head injuries sustained were either knockouts or TKOs. Results: Out of the 250 known boxers, 168 replied (67% response rate). Of the respondents, 12%, 3% and 1% reported being knocked out OR TKO once, twice and three times respectively. The 18 knockouts were all less than five minutes. Of the 800 + bouts fought, no boxer reported PTA of longer than 24 hours. A single boxer had surgery to the head. Discussion: The cumulative rate of mild head injuries in amateur boxing and the lack of severe head injury noted in this primary study must bring into question the accepted notion that chronic neurologic sequelae can be directly attributed to "boxing" per se. Conclusion: Confusion between professional and amateur codes of boxing has often resulted in poorly formed opinion as to the etiologic interplay between boxing, head injuries, and subsequent neurologic sequelae.
Concussion, alcohol, fatigue and performance impairment A. Collie1,2,3., P.Maruffl,2, M. Makdissi 3, P. McCrory3 & D. Darby~,2 ~CogState Ltd, Melbourne, Australia 2Centre for Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Australia 3Centre for Sports Medicine Research and Education, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Mild cognitive impairments occur following concussion, however the measures used to communicate the magnitude of these impairments are arbitrary and generally meaningless to individuals without knowledge of psychological testing. We compared directly the magnitude of the cognitive impairment following concussion with that occurring in alcohol and fatigue affected individuals. A brief (15min) computerized test battery assessing multiple cognitive domains (CogSport) was administered to 15 sportspeople 2 days post concussion, 40 matched control subjects with Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BACs) of 0.05% and 0.10%, and to the same control subjects over 24 hours of sustained wakefulness. The magnitude of cognitive impairments were determined by comparing post-concussion, alcohol or fatigue results to baseline data recorded at earlier assessments. Psychomotor impairments following concussion were of equivalent magnitude to those detected in individuals with a BAC of 0.05% and after 22 hours of sustained wakefulness. However, fatigue and alcohol affected individuals displayed a more global pattern of performance impairment than concussed individuals. Cognitive deficits following concussion are of equivalent magnitude to those occurring at a BAC equivalent to the legal Australian driving limit. The severity of cognitive impairment in the days following concussion are easily communicated using BAC or hours of sustained wakefulness as a reference point.
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