Are Boxing and MMA Dangerous?

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mma dangerous

Personally, I support all sports that help improve health, self-esteem, positive outlook, discipline, and self-awareness.  With this being said, even though I competed for many years in martial arts and boxing, I can testify that although martial arts has many benefits, there are also many scientifically proven cons that can endanger a participant’s health, and in severe cases, lead to death. Are box and MMA dangerous, read on!

I personally stopped competing in martial arts and boxing, even though I still train, because there was so much empirical evidence that getting hit in the head results in significant long term damage- which in the majority of cases cannot be reversed.

Around the time I decided to distance myself from fighting, I became passionate about general fitness and health and ways of incorporating the best aspects of martial arts/boxing while eliminating it’s dangerous injuries into my ReSync Method.

My personal opinion is if somebody wants to compete in boxing or MMA, they need to be fully prepared mentally and physically in order to decrease the risk of permanent damage.  It is important to note that the risk can never be fully avoided.  In the past, athletes were better prepared for competition, they had more structure in their education in terms of technique, physical, and mental strength.  In the more recent years, fighting has become a business that is open to the masses, and many fighters are drawn to the allure of being on TV rather than the honor, competitive spirit, and philosophy behind martial arts fighting.

Below, you can read pros and cons associated with boxing and MMA so you can draw your own conclusions based on research and facts:

PROS

  • Improved balance and coordination. It conditions you to quickly shift your weight and change directions, a key to excel in sports.
  • Teach self-defense. An invaluable quality for self-protection.
  • Physical conditioning is one of the most important aspects of boxing and MMA. The training associated with these sports incorporate routines designed to to increase strength stamina, flexibility and all around condition so that athletes can go rounds without tiring.
  • Dynamic flexibility of joints, muscles, and ligaments. This promotes better posture, making you appear taller and leaner, and it will continue to improve your quality of life as you age, injury free.
  • Power. The two components of power are strength and speed, both of which are crucial parts of boxing and MMA training, so this type of training improves an athletes ability to perform explosive movements like jumping.
  • Boxing and MMA training requires deep concentration and the ability to avoid distraction. So there is a mental aspect of the sport that often gets disregarded- quick thinking and instincts are key to success in fighting sports.

CONS

  • The American Association of Neurological Surgeons says that 90% of boxers will have sustained a brain injury by the end of their careers.
  • Eye injuries and dementia, are also effects of being hit in the head.
  • The Nevada Athletic Commission did a five-year study on injuries in boxing and concluded that the amount of padding used in boxing gloves is directly correlated to the injury rate in boxing.
  • In a typical boxing match, most punches are thrown at the head, since it’s difficult to achieve a knockout through blows to the body. The cumulative effect of constant hitting over the course of a fight can have a traumatic effect on a fighter’s head.
  • According to a study undertaken by the British Board of Sports Medicine from 2002 to 2007, the standing eight count is the primary cause of the most serious injuries in boxing because it gives fighters the option to worsen injuries they have already sustained.  Doctors call the stuttering and staggering after the standing eight count pugilistic dementia.
  • From 1998 to 2006, there were 70 recorded deaths caused by injuries related to the sport of boxing.
  • Injuries suffered by MMA fighters include head trauma, musculoskeletal stress, joint dislocation and soft tissue trauma.
  • In 2008, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine published a study of injuries sustained during sanctioned MMA competitions. According to their findings, the most common reported injuries were lacerations and upper extremity injuries.  The most frequent injuries are broken bones.
  • There have been two recorded deaths in mixed martial arts.
  •  Research in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons’ 2006 study pointed out that the average direct hit to the head that a boxer sustains is equivalent to being hit with a 12-pound wooden mallet traveling at around 20 miles per hour.
  •  Professional boxers suffer from the cumulative effect of damage to the brain, often resulting in punch drunk’ syndrome.
  • According to the Johns Hopkins study, head trauma and cerebral hemorrhages are the No. 1 cause of death in combat sports.
  • John Hopkins study concluded that boxing is the most dangerous combat sport in America.
  • MMA dangerous very truly.

 

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Samir Becic
Samir Becic is a world-renowned health and fitness expert. Named the “Fitness Czar” by the City of Houston in 2018, he is also the author of the HarperCollins book ReSYNC Your Life, founder of Health Fitness Revolution Magazine, 4 x #1 Fitness Trainer in America by Bally Total Fitness, and creator of the ReSync Fitness Method. The Mayor of Houston and the 16 City Council Members proclaimed January 10th, 2023 as the official “Samir Becic Day” in the City of Houston. In May 2023, he was awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden, recognizing his invaluable contributions to society. In December 2023, Samir received a United States Congressional proclamation from the Historic 18th District for his prolific advocacy of physical fitness as an instrument for improving America’s health and his decade-long commitment to motivating the United States Congress. Samir’s impact extends beyond accolades; his work has graced the pages of numerous top-tier media outlets. His vibrant presence and powerful motivational skills have solidified his status as a luminary in the health and fitness domain. -Received a United States Congressional proclamation from the Historic 18th District in December 2023 for his influential role in the community and dedication to fitness advocacy -Bestowed a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2023 from President Joe Biden for his commitment to philanthropy and volunteering -January 10th, 2023 proclaimed as the official "Samir Becic Day" by Mayor Sylvester Turner and the 16 City of Houston Council Members for Samir's advocacy of health and fitness in America  -November 1st, 2022 proclaimed as the official "Samir Becic Day" by Mayor Sylvester Turner for Samir's service during his 4 years as the official "Fitness Czar" for the City of Houston and 20 years as a health advisor to previous Mayors -Official Fitness Czar for the city of Houston proclaimed by Mayor Sylvester Turner  -Named the “Best Fitness Trainer in the World” by two-time NBA Championship coach and Olympic gold medalist Rudy Tomjanovich -Named Top 40 "American Dream" immigrant -Chosen among the Top 6 "American Dream" immigrants for a collaborative panel between Interfaith Ministries and Houstonia Magazine -“#1 Fitness Trainer in the World,”- 4 times by Bally Total Fitness -#1 Fitness Trainer in Texas,”- 22 times by Bally Total Fitness -#1 Fitness Trainer in Houston”- 29 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Best of the Best Fitness Trainer”- 2 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Best Fitness Director”- 2 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Men’s Journal Top Fitness Trainer in America” -“Houston Health Warrior” by Health & Fitness Sports Magazine  -“The Motivator” by the Houston Chronicle

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