Mohamad Y Fares1,2,3, Hamza A Salhab1,2, Jawad Fares4, Hussein H Khachfe2, Youssef Fares1, Hasan Baydoun5, Joseph A Abboud6, Nada Alaaeddine1. 1. Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. 3. College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. 4. Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. 5. Department of Orthopedics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. 6. The Rothman Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
Objective: Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA) has witnessed a rapid growth over the recent years. This study aims to explore the patterns and trends of head injuries in MMA.Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.Setting: Ringside physician reports of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights between 2016 and 2019 (inclusive) were screened. Data were extracted from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) database. Play-by-play video analysis was also conducted.Participants: UFC fighters involved in fights sanctioned by the NSAC, between 2016 and the end of 2019 (N = 816).Independent variables: Sex, location of head injury, type of head injury, injury mechanism, number of significant head strikes, type of finish, and weight division.Main outcome measures: Head injury rates were calculated. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to explore any statistically significant differences between injury rates of different locations, types, and types of finishes. An independent t-test was used to determine whether any significant differences existed between the two sexes, and a Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the trends of head injury rates across different weight divisions. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI). Results: A total of 288 head injuries in 408 fights were recorded during our study period. Head injury rate constituted 35 injuries per 100 athletic-exposures (AE) in sanctioned fights. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were the most common type of injury, with a rate of 16 per 100AE, significantly greater than that of fractures (p = 0.003). Males had a head injury rate of 37 per 100AE, higher than that of females which was 23 per 100AE. Technical Knockout (TKO)/ Knockout(KO) was the type of finish with the highest rate of head injuries, significantly greater than that of decision or submission (p < 0.001). In general, head injury rates were higher as weight divisions increased. Conclusion: Head injuries are prevalent in MMA. Preventive measures need to be implemented to ensure fighter safety and limit injury risk.
Objective: Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA) has witnessed a rapid growth over the recent years. This study aims to explore the patterns and trends of head injuries in MMA.Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.Setting: Ringside physician reports of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights between 2016 and 2019 (inclusive) were screened. Data were extracted from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) database. Play-by-play video analysis was also conducted.Participants: UFC fighters involved in fights sanctioned by the NSAC, between 2016 and the end of 2019 (N = 816).Independent variables: Sex, location of head injury, type of head injury, injury mechanism, number of significant head strikes, type of finish, and weight division.Main outcome measures: Head injury rates were calculated. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to explore any statistically significant differences between injury rates of different locations, types, and types of finishes. An independent t-test was used to determine whether any significant differences existed between the two sexes, and a Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the trends of head injury rates across different weight divisions. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI). Results: A total of 288 head injuries in 408 fights were recorded during our study period. Head injury rate constituted 35 injuries per 100 athletic-exposures (AE) in sanctioned fights. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were the most common type of injury, with a rate of 16 per 100AE, significantly greater than that of fractures (p = 0.003). Males had a head injury rate of 37 per 100AE, higher than that of females which was 23 per 100AE. Technical Knockout (TKO)/ Knockout(KO) was the type of finish with the highest rate of head injuries, significantly greater than that of decision or submission (p < 0.001). In general, head injury rates were higher as weight divisions increased. Conclusion: Head injuries are prevalent in MMA. Preventive measures need to be implemented to ensure fighter safety and limit injury risk.
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: Michael J Fliotsos; Donovan Stephen Reed; Gregory Giles; Adam H H Altman; Joseph A Santamaria; Sidra Zafar; Darrel K Carlton; Anthony J Johnson; Brett W Davies; Gary L Legault; Fasika A Woreta; Grant A Justin Journal: Clin Ophthalmol Date: 2021-06-25