A prospective controlled investigation of the cognitive effects of amateur boxing.

Abstract

Eighty six amateur boxers underwent a series of neuropsychological assessments on three occasions-pre bout, immediate post bout and follow up within two years; 31 water polo players and 47 rugby union players acted as controls. The neuropsychological tests were selected as being sensitive to subtle cognitive dysfunction and formed part of a battery of other neurological and ophthalmic assessments. No evidence of neuropsychological dysfunction due to boxing was found, either following a bout or a series of bouts at follow up. None of a range of parameters including number of previous contests, recovery from an earlier bout, number of head blows received during a bout and number of bouts between initial assessment and follow up, were found to be related to changes in cognitive functioning.

A prospective controlled study of cognitive function during an amateur boxing tournament

“…21,27,28 Only one concussion was observed in 159 matches. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] The current study further suggests that participating in multiple bouts in a tournament situation does not result in acute cognitive dysfunction unless the contest is stopped by the referee. 40 This is consistent with the previous literature and clinical experience.…”

“…7 Neverthe-less, chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been documented in this population, albeit at a reduced frequency when compared with professional boxing. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] However, two studies of boxers diagnosed with concussion suggest that participation in amateur boxing bouts may decrease neurocognitive function. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] However, two studies of boxers diagnosed with concussion suggest that participation in amateur boxing bouts may decrease neurocognitive function.…”

A prospective cohort study of injury in amateur and professional boxing

“…Further, it is one of only nine cohort studies in boxing to have ever been published. [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] One of the major advantages of this type of prospective design is the ability to systematically and accurately collect exposure data in the cohort. The high levels of exposure experienced by the boxers indicated that boxing has acute injury rates comparable to, and often lower than, those found in studies of other sports.…”

Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury Associated with Boxing

“…22 Several investigations have utilized neuropsychologic testing in the evaluation of active and retired boxers. 2,6,14,23,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] In general, it appears that amateur boxing is associated with less neuropsychologic impairment than professional boxing. According to Butler, 38 a review of 10 studies assessing 289 amateur boxers found that amateur boxers did not exhibit any significant signs of neuropsychologic dysfunction.…”