TY - JOUR
T1 - Sparring and neurological function in professional boxers
AU - Stiller, John W.
AU - Yu, Steven S.
AU - Brenner, Lisa A.
AU - Langenberg, Patricia
AU - Scrofani, Phillip
AU - Pannella, Patrick
AU - Hsu, Edbert B.
AU - Roberts, Darryl W.
AU - Monsell, Ray M.T.
AU - Binks, Sidney W.
AU - Guzman, Alvaro
AU - Postolache, Teodor T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Stiller , Yu, Brenner , Langenberg , Scrofani, Pannella, Hsu, Roberts, Monsell , Binks, Guzman and Postolache.
PY - 2014/7/21
Y1 - 2014/7/21
N2 - Despite increased interest regarding the potentially long-term negative impact of chronic traumatic brain injury, limited research has been conducted regarding such injuries and neurological outcomes in real world settings.To increase understanding regarding the rela- tionship between sparring (e.g., training under the tutelage of an experienced boxing coach for the purpose of improving skills and/or fitness) and neurological functioning, professional boxers (n=237) who competed in Maryland between 2003 and 2008 completed mea- sures regarding sparring exposure (Cumulative Sparring Index, CSI) and performance on tests of cognition (Symbol Digit ModalitiesTest, SDMT) and balance (Sharpened Romberg Test, SRT). Measures were completed prior to boxing matches. Higher scores on the CSI (increased sparring exposure) were associated with poorer performance on both tests of cognition (SDMT) and balance (SRT). A threshold effect was noted regarding performance on the SDMT,with those reporting CSI values greater than about 150 experiencing a decline in cognition. A history of frequent and/or intense sparring may pose a significant risk for developing boxing associated neurological sequelae. Implementing administration of clin- ically meaningful tests before bouts, such as the CSI, SDMT, and/or the SRT, as well as documentation of results into the boxer's physicals ormedical profilles may be an important step for improving boxing safety.
AB - Despite increased interest regarding the potentially long-term negative impact of chronic traumatic brain injury, limited research has been conducted regarding such injuries and neurological outcomes in real world settings.To increase understanding regarding the rela- tionship between sparring (e.g., training under the tutelage of an experienced boxing coach for the purpose of improving skills and/or fitness) and neurological functioning, professional boxers (n=237) who competed in Maryland between 2003 and 2008 completed mea- sures regarding sparring exposure (Cumulative Sparring Index, CSI) and performance on tests of cognition (Symbol Digit ModalitiesTest, SDMT) and balance (Sharpened Romberg Test, SRT). Measures were completed prior to boxing matches. Higher scores on the CSI (increased sparring exposure) were associated with poorer performance on both tests of cognition (SDMT) and balance (SRT). A threshold effect was noted regarding performance on the SDMT,with those reporting CSI values greater than about 150 experiencing a decline in cognition. A history of frequent and/or intense sparring may pose a significant risk for developing boxing associated neurological sequelae. Implementing administration of clin- ically meaningful tests before bouts, such as the CSI, SDMT, and/or the SRT, as well as documentation of results into the boxer's physicals ormedical profilles may be an important step for improving boxing safety.
KW - Balance
KW - Boxing
KW - Chronic traumatic brain injury
KW - Cognitive
KW - Cumulative sparring index
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85009698876&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85009698876&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00069
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00069
M3 - Article
C2 - 25101253
AN - SCOPUS:85009698876
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 2
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
IS - JUL
M1 - 69
ER -