Rotational acceleration in traumatic brain injuries (TBI) related to combat sports: a review study
Journal of Clinical Physiotherapy Research,
Vol. 7 No. 4 (2022),
1 October 2022,
Page e70
https://doi.org/10.22037/jcpr.v7i4.44688
Background and Aim: Considering the importance of rotational acceleration in causing traumatic brain injuries and also the possibility of its greater risk in combat sports, this study aims to investigate the rotational acceleration produced in the head in combat sports in different blows and compare it in a systematic review. to deal with the threshold of traumatic brain injuries.
Materials and Methods: In this study, articles were searched in specialized databases and 23 related articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: Investigations showed that the highest rotational acceleration produced in the head is due to the hook impact (11279.5 rad/s2) in the condition without a helmet and in the field of boxing. After that, the leg kick in taekwondo (rad/s2 10927) showed the highest acceleration in the head in the condition of wearing a helmet. Hook kick in taekwondo (rad/s2 9756), direct punch in taekwondo (rad/s2 9556) and roundhouse kick in taekwondo (rad/s2 8703) were in the next ranks, respectively. Comparing these accelerations with the threshold of traumatic brain injuries, hook kick in boxing and spinning kick in Taekwondo can lead to concussion and severe brain axonal damage, but in hook kick, direct punch and roundhouse kick in Taekwondo. The athlete is only exposed to concussion.
Conclusion: According to the results of this review, protective helmets in combat sports cannot significantly reduce the rotation speed and this issue can even increase the rotation acceleration in some sports such as boxing. Therefore, it is suggested that those in charge of this matter and headgear manufacturing companies should pay special attention to this issue and take an important step in reducing TBI injuries by re-examining the design of headgears.