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Citation |
Moriarity JM, Pietrzak RH, Kutcher JS, Clausen MH, McAward K, Darby DG. Br. J. Sports Med. 2012; 46(14): 1011-1015. |
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Affiliation |
Athletics Department, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2012, BMJ Publishing Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
22547563 |
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Abstract |
Objectives: Concussion is common in contact sports such as boxing. Diagnosis of concussion depends on symptom report or recognition of clinical features, and true incidence may be underestimated. Persistent morbidity is a possible risk of repeated or unrecognized concussion. This study aimed to evaluate pre- and post-bout cognitive performance in motivated amateur boxers in order to detect objective evidence of unrecognised cognitive impairment suggestive of concussive injury. Methods: The study employed a prospective and observational design. Participants were amateur boxers who won at least one bout in a single elimination competition. Optimal pre-participation performance using a computerized cognitive assessment tool (CCAT, Axon Sports) and no significant deterioration in cognitive performance within 24 h post-bout were required to compete. All boxers were screened for clinical evidence of concussion by a ringside physician. Results: Of approximately 200 competing boxers, 96 were eligible having won at least one of the total 160 bouts. Mean age was 21.3 (SD 1.9) years (range 18.5-29.7). Of these, 17 (10.6%) failed their first post-bout CCAT, with 12 (71%) passing a repeat test. Of the five remaining boxers, there were two boxers (1.3% of bouts) not suspected of a concussion after their bouts, who showed evolving slowing in cognitive performance typical of a concussion. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment, as detected by subtle deterioration in reaction time measures, can occur in amateur boxers post-bout that is not recognized at ringside. Although the vast majority of bouts were conducted safely, unrecognized injury may occur and be detectable using objective computerized cognitive assessment. Language: en |