Citation

Seifert T, Bernick C, Jordan B, Alessi A, Davidson J, Cantu R, Giza C, Goodman M, Benjamin J. Phys. Sportsmed. 2015; 43(4): 395-402.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Norton Healthcare , Louisville, KY, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00913847.2015.1081551

PMID

26295482

Abstract

Professional boxing is associated with a risk of chronic neurological injury, with up to 20-50% of former boxers exhibiting symptoms of chronic brain injury. Chronic traumatic brain injury encompasses a spectrum of disorders that are associated with long-term consequences of brain injury and remains the most difficult safety challenge in modern-day boxing. Despite these concerns, traditional guidelines used for return to sport participation after concussion are inconsistently applied in boxing. Furthermore, few athletic commissions require either formal consultation with a neurological specialist (i.e. neurologist, neurosurgeon, or neuropsychologist) or formal neuropsychological testing prior to return to fight. In order to protect the health of boxers and maintain the long-term viability of a sport associated with exposure to repetitive head trauma, we propose a set of specific requirements for brain safety that all state athletic commissions would implement.

Language: en