A neurologist's view on boxing*
J. Tichý,
Corresponding Author
J. Tichý
Department of Neurology, General Faculty Hospital, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Department of Neurology, General Faculty Hospital, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Tichý,
Corresponding Author
J. Tichý
Department of Neurology, General Faculty Hospital, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
Department of Neurology, General Faculty Hospital, First Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech RepublicSearch for more papers by this authorFirst published: 20 January 2011
†
Presented on 8 September 1995 in Prague at the International Meeting of the 100 years Anniversary of K. Henner, revised 1996 and 1997
Abstract
The contemporary practice of boxing discredits the ethos of modern society. An activity, the goal of which is to render your opponent unconscious, or otherwise inflict damage, should not be a sport. Only activities that lead to maintaining a healthy spirit and body should be considered sports. Boxing, in spite of all suggested arrangements and improved medical control and care, is a risky activity that often results in serious health problems. This has already been pointed out by the Nestor of Czechoslovak neurology, Academician Henner, and other specialists in the field.
References
- Adams CW and Burton CJ (1989) The cerebral vasculature in dementia pugilistica. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 52, 600–604.
- Adams RD and Victor M (1989) Principles of Neurology, pp 707–708, McGraw-Hill, New York.
- Bogdanoff B and Natter HM (1989) Incidence of cavum septum pellucidum in adults: a sign of boxer's encephalopathy. Neurology, 39, 991–992.
- Breton F, Pincemaille Y, Tarriere C and Renault B (1991) Event-related potential assessment of attention and the orienting reaction in boxers before and after a fight. Biological Psychology, 34, 57–71.
- Butler RJ (1994) Neuropsychological investigation of amateur boxers. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 28, 187–190.
- Cabanis EA, Perez G, Tamraz JC, Iba-Zizen MT, Roger B, Alfonso JM and Rougemont D (1986) Cephalic magnetic resonance imaging of boxers. Preliminary results. Acta Radiologica, 369, 365–366.
- Casson IR, Siegel O, Sham R, Campbell EA, Tarlau M and DiDomenico A (1984) Brain damage in modern boxers. JAMA, 251, 2663–2667.
- Corsellis JAN (1989) Boxing and the brain. British Medical Journal, 298, 105–109.
- Corsellis JAN, Bruton CJ and Freeman-Brown D (1973) The aftermath of boxing. Psychological Medicine, 3, 270–303.
- Council on Scientific Affairs (1983) Brain injury in boxing. JAMA, 249, 254–257.
- Dale GE, Leigh PN, Luthert P, Anderton BH and Roberts GW (1991) Neurofibrillary tangles in dementia pugilistica are ubiquitinated. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 54, 116–118.
- Editorial: Time to ban British boxing. Nature, Oct 19 1995 377 (6550), pp. 561–562.
- Fiore DC (1996) Boxing: does the size of the prize affect the drain on the brain? [letter] JAMA 276, 954.
- Foster JB (1989) Boxing and the brain. British Medical Journal, 298, 318.
- Garcia-Albea E (1990) Boxeo y cerebro [Boxing and the brain]. Neurologia, 5, 113–116.
- Goetz PW, editor in chief (1987) The New Encyclopaedia Britannic, 15th edn, Vol. 2, pp. 443–447. London, Encyclopaedia Britanica.
- Haglund Y, Edman G, Murelius O, Orleand L and Sachs C (1990) Does swedish amateur boxing lead to chronic brain damage? 1. A retrospective medical, neurological and personality trait study. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 82, 245–252.
- Haglund Y and Bergstrand G (1990) Does swedish amateur boxing lead to chronic brain damage? 2. A retrospective study with CT and MRI. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 82, 297–302.
- Haglund Y and Person HE (1990) Does swedish amateur boxing lead to chronic brain damage? Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 82, 353–360.
- Henner K (1956) Preventive care in boxing. Reviews in Czechoslovak Medicine, II, 331–338.
- Jacobson HG and Heitzman ER (1990) Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging comparisons in boxers. JAMA, 263, 1670–1674.
- Jordan BD, Jahre C, Hauser WA, Zimmerman RD, Zarrelli M, Lipsitz EC, Johnson V, Warren RF, Tsairis P and Folk FS (1992) CT of 338 active professional boxers. Radiology, 185, 509–512.
- Kaste M, Vilkki J, Sainio K, Kuurne T, Katevuo K and Meurala H (1982) Is chronic brain damage in boxing a hazard of the past? Lancet, II, 1186–1188.
- Kelly JP, Nichols JS, Filley ChM, Lillehei KO and Rubinstein D (1991) Concussion in sports: Guidelines for the prevention of catastrophic outcome. JAMA, 266, 2867–2869.
-
Krejčová H and
Cerný R (1989) Vestibular abnormalities in encephalopathia pugilistica.
Acta Otolaryngologica, Suppl, 468, 209–210.
10.3109/00016488909139047 Google Scholar
- Lampert PW and Hardman JM (1984) Morphological changes in brains of boxers. JAMA, 251, 2676–2679.
- Ludwig R (1986) Making boxing safer. JAMA, 255, 2482.
- Lundbergh GD (1983) Boxing should be banned in civilised countries. JAMA, 249, 250.
- Lundbergh GD (1984) Boxing should be banned in civilised countries – round 2. JAMA, 251, 2696–2698.
- Lundbergh GD (1986) Boxing should be banned in civilised countries – round 3. JAMA, 255, 2483–2485.
- Maquire JI and Benson WE (1986) Retinal injury and detachment in boxers. JAMA, 255, 2451–2453.
- Martland HS (1928) Punch drunk. JAMA, 91, 1103–1107.
- Mendez MF (1995) The neuropsychiatric aspects of boxing. Journal of Psychiatry Medicine (United States) 25.
-
Montoussis M (1996) On the barbaric nature of boxing: thoughts following the Panorama debate on banning boxing after yet another death.
Medicine of Conflict Survival (England)
12, 62–63, 249–262.
10.1080/13623699608409259 Google Scholar
- Moore M (1980) The challenge of boxing. Bringing safety into the ring. Physical and Sports Medicine, 8, 101–105.
- Morrison RG (1986) Medical and public health aspects of boxing. JAMA, 255, 2475–2480.
- Moussa B, Zoudim H and Riederer P (1997) Understanding Parkinson's Disease. Scientific American, 276, 52–59.
- Murelius O and Haglund Y. (1991) Does swedish amateur boxing lead to chronic damage? 4. A retrospective neuropsychological study. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, 83, 9–13.
- Nordstrom CH, Mellergard P, Holtas S and Ottoson A (1990) Livshotande intrakraniella blodningar i samband med boxing och misshandel [Life-threatening intracranial hemmorrhage caused by boxing and assaults]. Lakartidningen, 87, 301, 303–304.
- Ommaya AK and Gennarelli TA (1974) Cerebral concussion and traumatic unconsciousness. Brain, 97, 633–654.
- Patterson RH (1986) On boxing and liberty. JAMA, 255, 2481–2482.
- Richards P (1993) Boxing and the neurosurgeon. British Journal of Neurosurgery, 7, 595–596.
- Roberts GW, Allsop D and Bruton C (1990) The occult aftermath of boxing. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 53, 373–378.
- Ross RJ, Casson IR, Siegel O and Cole M (1987) Boxing injuries: neurologic, radiologic and neuropsychologic evaluation. Clinical Sports Medicine, 6, 41–51.
- Ryan AJ (1987) Intracranial injuries resulting from boxing: a review (1918–1985). Clinical Sports Medicine, 6, 31–40.
- Šercl M and Jaroš O (1957) Klinische Bilder der Beschödigung des ZNS bei Boxern unter Berücksichtigung der Häufigsten Verletzungsmechanismen. Sportmedizin, 8, 69–71.
- Šercl M and Jaroš O (1962) Mechanisms of cerebral concussion in boxing and their consequences, World Neurology, 3, 351–357.
- Stening W (1992) Boxing. Medical Journal of Australia, 156, 76–77.
- Stewart WF, Gordon B, Selnes O, Bandeen-Roche K, Zeger S, Tusa RJ, Celentano DD, Shechter A, Liberman J, Hall C, Simon D, Lesse R and Randall RD (1994) Prospective study of central nervous system function in amateur boxers in the United States. American Journal of Epidemiology, 139, 573–588.
- Strassmann G and Helpern M (1968) Todliche Hirnverletzungen im Boxkampf [Fatal brain injuries in Unterharnscheidt FA (1995) Neurologist's Reflections on Boxing. V. Concluding remarks. Reviews in Neurology (Spain) Sep-Oct 23, 1027-32 boxing] Dtsch Z Gesamte Gerichtl Med, 63, 70–83.
- Van Allen MW (1983) The deadly degrading sport. JAMA, 249, 250–251.
