Dataset Information

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts Varies According to Sex and Weight Class.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain injury arising from head trauma is a major concern in mixed martial arts (MMA) because knockout (KO) and technical knockout (TKO) are frequent fight outcomes. Previous studies have shown a high incidence of matches ending due to strikes to the head but did not consider weight categories and female fights. This study aimed at analyzing match stoppages in MMA and the exposure to head trauma distinguished by sex and weight categories.

Hypothesis

The heavier the weight class, the greater the risk and incidence of head trauma will be, regardless of sex.

Study design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Level of evidence

Level 3.

Methods

Publicly available data of 167 MMA events from 1903 fights between 2014 and 2017 were assessed, comprising 8 male and 2 female weight categories.

Results

The combined KO/TKO rates per 100 athlete-exposures in the middleweight (19.53), light heavyweight (20.8), and heavyweight (26.09) divisions were greater than previously reported for MMA. While stoppage via KO/TKO occurred in 7.9% of combats in the female strawweight division, it occurred in 52.1% of the male heavyweight fights. The male middleweight ( P = 0.001), light heavyweight ( P < 0.001), and heavyweight divisions ( P < 0.001) had an increased risk of KO/TKO due to strikes to the head by 80%, 100%, and 206%, respectively. The risk in the flyweight division decreased 62% ( P = 0.001). All categories were compared with the lightweight division. The female bantamweight category presented a 221% increased risk in matches ending due to KO/TKO compared with the strawweight division ( P = 0.012). Punches to the head were the major technique used to end a combat via KO/TKO, regardless of sex and weight class.

Conclusion

Head injury risk and incidence varies considerably according to sex and weight category in MMA.

Clinical relevance

The analysis of head trauma exposure in MMA athletes should be distinguished according to sex and weight category.

SUBMITTER: Follmer B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6537320 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May/Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts Varies According to Sex and Weight Class.

Follmer Bruno B Dellagrana Rodolfo Andre RA Zehr E Paul EP

Sports health 20190215 3

<h4>Background</h4>Brain injury arising from head trauma is a major concern in mixed martial arts (MMA) because knockout (KO) and technical knockout (TKO) are frequent fight outcomes. Previous studies have shown a high incidence of matches ending due to strikes to the head but did not consider weight categories and female fights. This study aimed at analyzing match stoppages in MMA and the exposure to head trauma distinguished by sex and weight categories.<h4>Hypothesis</h4>The heavier the weigh ...[more]

PMID: 30768376

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundConstrictive pericarditis (CP) is characterized by scarring and loss of elasticity of the pericardium. This case demonstrates that mixed martial arts (MMA) is a previously unrecognized risk factor for CP, diagnosis of which is supported by cardiac imaging, right and left heart catheterization, and histological findings of dense fibrous tissue without chronic inflammation.Case presentationA 47-year-old Caucasian male former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from the Western United States presented to liver clinic for elevated liver injury tests (LIT) and a 35-pound weight loss with associated diarrhea, lower extremity edema, dyspnea on exertion, and worsening fatigue over a period of 6 months. Past medical history includes concussion, right bundle branch block, migraine headache, hypertension, chronic pain related to musculoskeletal injuries and fractures secondary to MMA competition. Involvement in MMA was extensive with an 8-year history of professional MMA competition and 13-year history of MMA fighting with recurrent trauma to the chest wall. The patient also reported a 20-year history of performance enhancing drugs including testosterone. Physical exam was notable for elevated jugular venous pressure, hepatomegaly, and trace peripheral edema. An extensive workup was performed including laboratory studies, abdominal computerized tomography, liver biopsy, echocardiogram, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, right and left heart catheterization-the gold standard-confirmed discordance of the right ventricle-left ventricle, consistent with constrictive physiology. Pericardiectomy was performed with histologic evidence of chronic pericarditis. The patient's hospital course was uncomplicated and he returned to NYHA functional class I.ConclusionsCP can be a sequela of recurrent pericarditis or hemorrhagic effusions and may have a delayed presentation. In cases of recurrent trauma, CP may be managed with pericardiectomy with apparent good outcome. Further studies are warranted to analyze the occurrence of CP in MMA so as to better define the risk in such adults.

Dataset Information

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts Varies According to Sex and Weight Class.

Background

Hypothesis

Study design

Level of evidence

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical relevance

Publications

Head Trauma Exposure in Mixed Martial Arts Varies According to Sex and Weight Class.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets