title: Sparring and neurological function in professional boxers.
abstract: Despite increased interest regarding the potentially long-term negative impact of chronic traumatic brain injury, limited research has been conducted regarding such injuries and neurological outcomes in real world settings. To increase understanding regarding the relationship between sparring (e.g., training under the tutelage of an experienced boxing coach for the purpose of improving skills and/or fitness) and neurological functioning, professional boxers (n = 237) who competed in Maryland between 2003 and 2008 completed measures regarding sparring exposure (Cumulative Sparring Index, CSI) and performance on tests of cognition (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, SDMT) and balance (Sharpened Romberg Test, SRT). Measures were completed prior to boxing matches. Higher scores on the CSI (increased sparring exposure) were associated with poorer performance on both tests of cognition (SDMT) and balance (SRT). A threshold effect was noted regarding performance on the SDMT, with those reporting CSI values greater than about 150 experiencing a decline in cognition. A history of frequent and/or intense sparring may pose a significant risk for developing boxing associated neurological sequelae. Implementing administration of clinically meaningful tests before bouts, such as the CSI, SDMT, and/or the SRT, as well as documentation of results into the boxer's physicals or medical profiles may be an important step for improving boxing safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, St. Elizabeth's Hospital , Washington, DC , USA ; Maryland State Athletic Commission , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Institute of Sports Chronobiology , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Stiller
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Southern California , Los Angeles, CA , USA.
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Veterans Integrated Service Network 19, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center , Denver, CO , USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO , USA ; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO , USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO , USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Langenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, St. Elizabeth's Hospital , Washington, DC , USA ; Institute for the Psychological Sciences , Arlington, VA , USA.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scrofani
authors.affiliation: Maryland State Athletic Commission , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pannella
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Edbert B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Econometrica Inc. , Bethesda, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Darryl W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: St. Julian's Medical Centre , Newport , UK.
authors.forename: Ray M T
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Monsell
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Health, St. Elizabeth's Hospital , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: Sidney W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Binks
authors.affiliation: Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guzman
authors.affiliation: Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA ; Institute of Sports Chronobiology , Washington, DC , USA ; Veterans Integrated Service Network 19, Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center , Denver, CO , USA ; Tuning, Inc. , Silver Spring, MD , USA.
authors.forename: Teodor T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Postolache
keywords: balance; boxing; chronic traumatic brain injury; cognitive; cumulative sparring index
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