Injuries in competitive boxing. A prospective study.
Boxing remains a subject of controversy and is often classified as dangerous. But the discussion is based mostly on retrospective studies. This survey was conducted as a prospective study. From October 2012 to September 2013, 44 competitive boxers were asked to report their injuries once a month. The questionnaire collected general information (training, competition) and recorded the number of bouts fought, injuries and resulting lost days. A total of 192 injuries were recorded, 133 of which resulted in interruption of training or competition. Each boxer sustained 3 injuries per year on average. The injury rate was 12.8 injuries per 1 000 h of training. Boxers fighting more than 3 bouts per year sustain more injuries (p=0.0075). The injury rate does is not a function of age (age≤19 vs. > 19a, p=0.53). Injuries to the head and the upper limbs occur most frequently. The most common injuries are soft tissue lacerations and contusions. Head injuries with neurological symptoms rarely occur (4.2%). Boxing has a high injury rate that is comparable with other contact sports, but most injuries are minor. Injury frequency is not a function of whether the boxer competes in the junior or adult category. Athletes fighting many bouts per year have a greater risk of injury.
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
J
J
Siewe
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
J
J
Rudat
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
K
K
Zarghooni
Centre of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Centre Aachen, Würselen, Germany.
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R
Sobottke
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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P
Eysel
Centre of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Medical Centre Aachen, Würselen, Germany.
C
C
Herren
Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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P
Knöll
Department of Orthopeadic and Trauma Surgery, St. Josef-Stift, Sendenhorst, Germany.
U
U
Illgner
Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Spine Surgery, Marienhaus Hospital, Bendorf-Neuwied-Waldbreitbach, Germany.
J
J
Michael
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D001914:Boxing / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries; D055815:Young Adult