THE KNOCKOUT IN BOXING

The knockout remains the most spectacular manifestation in the sport of boxing, thrilling the public and seemingly satisfying some deep primeval urge, but this has always been a worrying element to ringside physicians. I hope to explain some of the neurological knowledge on the subject of concussion and unconsciousness, and relate this to what one actually sees at the ringside when a boxer is stopped.
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REDUCING LONG TERM BRAIN TISSUE TRAUMA :-

EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF CLINICAL REFLEXOLOGY AND CRANIO SACRAL THERAPY AS POST BOUT CARE  FOR BOXERS

by Shivana Inalsingh, Clinical Integrative Reflexologist

A report done as part of the Brain Injury Program at the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, New York, found that the degree of head injury suffered by a boxer is determined by his professional status reflective of increased exposure (i.e., duration of career, age of retirement, total number of bouts), poor performance, increased sparring, and apolipo protein (APOE) genotype all of which can contribute to Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury.

The risk of head injury in boxing is high, and fortunately, developments in the field of medicine, research, recommendations and implementation of regulations by sanctioning bodies working together with government and sporting bodies are serving to reduce the risk of injury to the boxer.

International boxing sanctioning body, World Boxing Association (WBA) has the 3 Knock Down rule in effect for all sanctioned fights. In addition, there is the 6 week suspension of a boxer who has suffered a Knock Out so as to provide a safe net for recovery from a possible head injury, along with medical assessment and evaluations. Some ringside Physicians have also recommended that annual brain scans be done on active boxers as a good safety measure for the protection of boxer from aggravating an existing head injury as well as an effective means of monitoring tissue health and evaluating possible brain tissue deterioration. While the scans will be highly valuable, not until it becomes more affordable and accessible, will it be available across the board.

What safety considerations can be made for the boxer who is not knocked out and who appears normal outside of the neuropsychological tests?  History has shown that it is possible that a boxer can sustain an undetected head injury and while there are a few scientific medical and psychological diagnostic systems available for identifying these, there is a need for further development for more conclusive medical assessments for identifying minute trauma.

Swine Flu Alert

The Swine Flu outbreak continues to grow in several countries including the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, The United Kingdom, Israel and Spain. The World Health Organization has raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4, which indicates that it can spread from person to person causing outbreaks. The Center of Disease Control issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. It is also prudent to avoid gathering in large groups to attend meetings in countries where there is an epidemic alert. The WBA must be cognizant of the fact that this epidemic would definitely affect the sport of boxing and must consider the following possibilities:

·         Directors meetings and Conventions can be postponed or cancelled.

·         Boxing title fights can be affected, in that there would be decrease in spectator participation with the corresponding loss of financial gain for promoters. 

·         Accordingly, we have to put our thoughts together now and have a plan of action in the event that this epidemic should escalate.

·         Indeed, we will then be prepared to act suitably, with knowledgeable foresight.

WBA on Swine Flu

CIRCULAR LETTER

To: WBA Directory members and Promoters

Reference: World Health Organization warning on Swine Flu

Dear Friends,

The purpose of this letter is to adopt a position on the warning issued by the emergency committee of the World Health Organization on the Swine influenza epidemic affecting several countries.

Without no doubt affects the normal course of business in the World Boxing Association. Despite we have not made a official Directorate summon communication a tentative date was being consider from June 17 through 19 in Cartagena, Colombia.

After the president consulted with the medical advisory committee chairman Dr. Calvin Inalsingh and based on the faculties establish by the bylaws has decided to cancel the meeting expressed in the above paragraph. However has indicated that Cartagena would be the venue for this year Convention during the first or second week of October.

Also the championship committee in order to preserve the health of the boxers will reserve the right to approve title matches in countries where the virus of A/H1N1 swine influenza is confirmed by the WHO (World Health Organization). Until this moment Mexico, United States and Canada are in this list.

Please enclosed find the copy of memorandum issued by Dr Calvin Inalsingh and a official communication of the World Health Organization.

Sincerely yours,

Gilberto Jesús Mendoza

Vice-President WBA

The Importance of Pre Fight Diet of a Boxer

The diet of a Boxer is of crucial importance in effectively preparing him for a fight, and in ensuring that he is optimally poised to take on his opponent. Care has to be taken through the dietary programme to achieve and retain a high level of energy fuel for the night of the fight. This calls for careful management of both the training and dietary regime pursued by the boxer in order to produce the stamina, fortitude and resilience required for his successful pugilistic engagement. A Boxer’s training programme is decreased gradually and grinds to a halt on the day of the fight. Nonetheless his diet continues to be the same up to the day of the fight, as a consequence of which his intake of calories exceeds his energy output. The upshot of the programme is to cause a boxer to experience a slight weight increase on the day of the fight.

WBA Ratings as of December 2009-January 2010

 WBA Movements as of December 2009-January 2010