Abstract

SETHI, N K. Neurologist at ringside - to be or not to be?. SA J. Sports Med. [online]. 2018, vol.30, n.1, pp.1-2. ISSN 2078-516X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-516x/2018/v30i1a4255.

BACKGROUND: Ringside physicians are entrusted with the task of protecting the health and safety of combat sports (boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA)) athletes. Ringside physicians come from various disciplines of medicine such as, primary care, internal medicine, orthopaedics, sports medicine, and otolaryngology. However, there are few neurologists who work as ringside physicians. DISCUSSION: Boxing and MMA are highly controversial sports for a neurologist' involvement because every punch and kick to the head is thrown with the intention of winning by knocking the opponent out, or resulting in a concussion. Thus many neurologists feel it is unethical to support boxing as a ringside physician. CONCLUSION: Boxing and MMA are universally thought to be harmful to the brain, and nearly all medical associations have made calls to ban boxing and MMA. While medical associations and physicians, including neurologists, may not support boxing or MMA, their presence at the ringside or cageside helps to make these sports safer through protecting the health and safety of a combat sports athlete.

Keywords : boxing; MMA; traumatic brain injury; chronic traumatic encephalopathy; physician.

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