Citation

Siewe J, Rudat J, Zarghooni K, Sobottke R, Eysel P, Herren C, Knoll P, Illgner U, Michael J. Int. J. Sports Med. 2014; 36(3): 249-253.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Spine Surgery, Marienhaus Hospital, Bendorf-Neuwied-Waldbreitbach, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0034-1387764

PMID

25376728

Abstract

Boxing remains a subject of controversy and is often classified as dangerous. But the discussion is based mostly on retrospective studies. This survey was conducted as a prospective study. From October 2012 to September 2013, 44 competitive boxers were asked to report their injuries once a month. The questionnaire collected general information (training, competition) and recorded the number of bouts fought, injuries and resulting lost days. A total of 192 injuries were recorded, 133 of which resulted in interruption of training or competition. Each boxer sustained 3 injuries per year on average. The injury rate was 12.8 injuries per 1 000 h of training. Boxers fighting more than 3 bouts per year sustain more injuries (p=0.0075). The injury rate does is not a function of age (age≤19 vs. > 19a, p=0.53). Injuries to the head and the upper limbs occur most frequently. The most common injuries are soft tissue lacerations and contusions. Head injuries with neurological symptoms rarely occur (4.2%). Boxing has a high injury rate that is comparable with other contact sports, but most injuries are minor. Injury frequency is not a function of whether the boxer competes in the junior or adult category. Athletes fighting many bouts per year have a greater risk of injury.

Language: en