A study was recently published in Frontiers of Human Neuroscience suggesting that sparring with head impacts for even a short duration results in immediate measurable impact in cognitive function.

In the study, titled Understanding the consequences of Repetitive Subconcussive Head Impacts in Sport: Brain changes and dampened motor control are seen after boxing practice, the authors used TMS, decomposition EMG and tests of memory in a group of boxers before and after sparring along with the same tests on a control group. The boxers sparred for three 3 minute rounds. The control group engaged in ‘mock sparring’ with no head impacts.

The study found “one hour after sparring boxers showed increased corticomotor inhibition, altered motor unit recruitment strategies, and decreased memory performance relative to controls” with measures returning to baseline within 24 hours leading to the conclusion that “Repetitive subconcussive head impacts associated with sparring resulted in acute and transient brain changes“.

The full abstract reads as follows:

Objectives: The potential effects of exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impacts through routine participation in sport are not understood. To investigate the effects of repetitive subconcussive head impacts we studied boxers following customary training (sparring) using TMS, decomposition EMG and tests of memory. Methods: Twenty amateur boxers performed three 3-minute sparring bouts. Parameters of brain function and motor control were assessed prior to sparring and again immediately, 1h and 24h post-sparring. Twenty control participants were assessed following mock-sparring. Results: One hour after sparring boxers showed increased corticomotor inhibition, altered motor unit recruitment strategies, and decreased memory performance relative to controls, with values returning to baseline by the 24h follow up. Conclusion: Repetitive subconcussive head impacts associated with sparring resulted in acute and transient brain changes similar to those previously reported in soccer heading, providing convergent evidence that sport-related head impacts produce a GABAergic response. These acute changes in brain health are reminiscent of effects seen following brain injury, and suggest a potential mechanism underlying the damaging long-term effects of routine repetitive head impacts in sport.

Author Erik Magraken is a British Columbia litigation lawyer, combat sports law consultant, founder of the Combat Law Sports Blog, and profoundly appreciated UGer.