. Which one is worse, boxing or mixed martial arts? Mixed martial arts is the answer. Boxing, however is much more dangerous. A new study found that boxing is more likely to sustain serious injuries than mixed martial art, despite the fact that the former has the reputation of being the most brutal, bloody, and vicious of contact sports. The University of Alberta’s Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic analyzed a decade of medical records from boxing matches and mixed martial art (MMA) matches. The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine published their findings. Muhammad Ali was regarded as one of the most successful heavyweight boxers ever. He was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Syndrome in 1984,, a condition that can be caused by head trauma sustained from boxing. The risk of minor injuries in MMA is slightly higher than that for boxers, according to the researchers. Boxers were less likely to sustain serious injuries from head traumas such as concussions or other head traumas. They also suffered more eye injuries, fractures, broken bones and loss of consciousness. Shelby Karpman (a sports medicine doctor) explained that MMA is more common for minor injuries. This study, which was conducted at ringside, is the first to show the risks associated with the contact sport in Canada. Canada requires post-fight medical examinations in all sports. Dr. Karpman examines competitors following matches for 25 many years. Leah Phillips Ziling Qin, Doug Gross and Doug Gross from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Patrick Reid who work at the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission reviewed post-fight records of 550 fighters and 1 ,818 of MMA fighters that took part in matches between 2003 in Edmonton. The overall injury rate in MMA matches is higher, but… they found that 59.4% more MMA fighters sustained some type of injury while fighting, compared with 49.8% for boxers. It is statistically significant. Most of the injuries sustained were concussions or bruises. However, boxers sustained 7.1% loss of consciousness and serious eye injuries in their fights, compared with just 4.2% for MMA fighters. Due to injuries sustained during matches, a higher number of boxers were also placed on medical suspension. Is MMA stigma unjustified? Dr. Karpman stated that there are risks of injury in all contact sports, but MMA is more stigmatized than other forms of sport by doctors and the general medical community, who view it as dangerous and violent. The researchers stated that fighters have been under-treated as a group. They believe that this information will help them to understand the risks of entering the ring. Dr. Karpman stated that these men don’t get the respect or the treatment they need for their work. Victor Valimaki is a year MMA veteran who said he’s suffered almost every type of injury imaginable. My life has been pretty bad. Most injuries happen during training. Injuries during an actual fight are superficial-typically black eyes, cuts and the odd broken hand.” Banning combative sports not the solution Dr. Karpman says it is puzzling that hokey stars such as Scott Stevens and Chris Pronger are worshiped by millions of fans, while MMA and boxing professionals are vilified with frequent calls for the sport to be banned. With its devastating head injuries, hockey is among the most dangerous. Dr. Karpman stated that statistics are necessary if you want to ban any sport. It doesn’t matter if you only watch mixed martial arts on television twice. Even if you decide to ban mixed martial arts, it doesn’t mean you will stop them. It’s going to keep them underground, so they don’t have to get medical care. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000235. Video – Curtis Demarce (left), a University of Alberta student in physical therapy, spars in the MMA Research Ring with Cody Krahn (right), 27, a retired MMA fighter, and coach, 31, in a UFC Gym in Sherwood Park. Victor Valimaki (referee) watches.
