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 - Funding Information:
We thank the boxers who participated in the study for making this research possible. We also thank Alex Ramos and Jacquie Richardson of the Retired Boxers Foundation for encouragement in conducting this study. We acknowledge Drs. David Joseph, Aamar Sleemi, and Rajeev Sharma for general support, George Peterson and Emanuel Steward for advice and setting a standard of safety for trainers, Margaret Goodman, MD for advice on medical issues in boxing, and Drs. Laggah and Savchenko for help with recruitment and Joan Pierce and Dr. Smick for continuing recruiting efforts. Many thanks Drs. Daniel Weinberger and Joel Kleinman, Lieber Institute for Brain Development, who commented on conceptual issues, Mr. Bruce Spizler for legal advice and advice on consent procedures, and colleagues of the Association of Ringside Physicians where data were presented on an almost yearly basis. Tuning, Inc., and intramural funds from the University of Maryland supported Dr. Postolache’s contribution. The editing by Chantelle Walsh and Ciera Damon is greatly appreciated, as was the assistance with formatting provided by Elizabeth Spitzer, Hassaan Yousufi, and Kelly Stearns.
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 -