University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine experts conducted a study on professional slap fighting competitions to identify visible signs of concussion in participants. This study, published in JAMA Surgery, sheds light on the potential risks associated with this activity and aims to start a conversation about implementing regulations to protect the long-term health of athletes.
Lead author Raj Swaroop Lavadi emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the harms associated with slap fighting to make all professional sports safer for athletes. While slap fighting may be entertaining to watch, the medical community has expressed concerns about the dangers of head injuries and brain trauma in participants.
The study involved trained reviewers analyzing videos of slap fighting competitions and recording visible signs of concussions. The results showed that more than half of the slap sequences resulted in participants displaying signs of concussion, such as diminished awareness, poor motor coordination, vacant looks, and delayed responses after being hit. Nearly 80% of fighters showed signs of concussion at least once during the matches.
Senior author Nitin Agarwal, who has a background in martial arts, highlighted the clinical implications of concussions, which can lead to short or long-term disability. The team is now focusing on measuring the physical impact of an average slap using mouthpieces similar to those used in football to further understand the risks associated with slap fighting.
The findings of this study provide valuable insights for participants, officials, and physicians involved in slap fighting competitions. By combining data from video analysis with physical impact measurements, the researchers hope to inform safety regulations and improve the overall well-being of athletes in the future.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking study on slap fighting highlights the importance of prioritizing the neurological health of athletes in all sports. The results underscore the need for increased awareness, regulations, and safety measures to protect participants from the potential risks associated with high-impact activities like slap fighting.