Mohamad Y Fares1,2,3, Jawad Fares4, Youssef Fares3, Joseph A Abboud1. 1. a The Rothman Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Thomas Jefferson University Hospital , Philadelphia , PA , USA. 2. b Faculty of Medicine , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon. 3. c Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine , Lebanese University , Beirut , Lebanon. 4. d Department of Neurological Surgery , Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Mixed martial arts (MMA) has witnessed a surge in popularity worldwide. This study explores the musculoskeletal and head injuries sustained in the professional fights of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and establishes associations between injury profiles and impactful contributory factors. METHODS: The Nevada State Athletic Commission database was screened for ringside physician reports of UFC fights between January 2016 and July 2018. Information on the fighter's gender, weight, injury, way of finish, and match result were collected. Injury rates were calculated and statistical analyses were conducted to determine significant associations among variables. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 291 injuries were recorded in 285 fights from nine weight divisions. The overall injury rate was 51 per 100 athletic exposures (AE). Males predominantly partook in 249 matches (87%) and had higher injury rates (54 injuries per 100 AE) than females (30 injuries per 100 AE). Decision was the most common way a match ended. Knockouts (KOs) were significantly higher in males (36%) than in females (14%, P = 0.0007). Submissions were significantly higher in females (36%) than in males (16%, P = 0.001). Head injuries (67%) were the most common injuries reported with a rate of 34 per 100 AE. Upper limb injuries were significantly higher in females (40%) than in males (14%, P = 0.0003). Lower limb injuries were significantly higher in males (19%) than in females (5%, P = 0.01). Head injuries were significantly associated with KOs (P < 0.0001). Upper limb injuries (P = 0.032) and lower limb injuries (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with matches that ended with Decision. Trend-line analyses showed that as weight division increases, overall injury rates, head injuries, lower limb injuries, and KOs' frequency increase, whereas upper limb injuries, Submission frequency, and Decision frequency decrease. CONCLUSION: MMA has a high injury rate. Gender, way of finish, and weight play an important role in predicting fight outcomes and injury profiles. Injury prevention policies must be entertained to limit injury risk in MMA.
OBJECTIVES: Mixed martial arts (MMA) has witnessed a surge in popularity worldwide. This study explores the musculoskeletal and head injuries sustained in the professional fights of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and establishes associations between injury profiles and impactful contributory factors. METHODS: The Nevada State Athletic Commission database was screened for ringside physician reports of UFC fights between January 2016 and July 2018. Information on the fighter's gender, weight, injury, way of finish, and match result were collected. Injury rates were calculated and statistical analyses were conducted to determine significant associations among variables. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 291 injuries were recorded in 285 fights from nine weight divisions. The overall injury rate was 51 per 100 athletic exposures (AE). Males predominantly partook in 249 matches (87%) and had higher injury rates (54 injuries per 100 AE) than females (30 injuries per 100 AE). Decision was the most common way a match ended. Knockouts (KOs) were significantly higher in males (36%) than in females (14%, P = 0.0007). Submissions were significantly higher in females (36%) than in males (16%, P = 0.001). Head injuries (67%) were the most common injuries reported with a rate of 34 per 100 AE. Upper limb injuries were significantly higher in females (40%) than in males (14%, P = 0.0003). Lower limb injuries were significantly higher in males (19%) than in females (5%, P = 0.01). Head injuries were significantly associated with KOs (P < 0.0001). Upper limb injuries (P = 0.032) and lower limb injuries (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with matches that ended with Decision. Trend-line analyses showed that as weight division increases, overall injury rates, head injuries, lower limb injuries, and KOs' frequency increase, whereas upper limb injuries, Submission frequency, and Decision frequency decrease. CONCLUSION: MMA has a high injury rate. Gender, way of finish, and weight play an important role in predicting fight outcomes and injury profiles. Injury prevention policies must be entertained to limit injury risk in MMA.
Authors: João C A Bueno; Heloiana Faro; Seth Lenetsky; Aleksandro F Gonçalves; Stefane B C D Dias; André L B Ribeiro; Bruno V C da Silva; Carlos A Cardoso Filho; Bruna M de Vasconcelos; Júlio C Serrão; Alexandro Andrade; Tácito P Souza-Junior; João G Claudino Journal: Sports (Basel) Date: 2022-05-24
Authors: Vaclav Beranek; Petr Stastny; Vit Novacek; Petr Votapek; Josef Formanek Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-24 Impact factor: 3.390