Preamble: development of this statement

This consensus statement expresses a collaborative effort among the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP) board, emeritus board and some ARP subject matter expert members. The statement was originally made available for public view on the ARP website (http://www.ringsidearp.org/) in April of 2017. An extensive literature search including but not restricted to MEDLINE (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/), Cochrane Reviews (http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/) and non-indexed peer-reviewed articles published in online medical journals was performed regarding combat sports and concussion. Unfortunately, significant studies/articles/information in combat sports regarding concussion are lacking. Hence, the majority of this statement is an amalgamation of current recommendations on concussion in non-combat sports with the current best practices in combat sports and the collective expertise and experience of its authors having provided ringside medical coverage over many years. Initially, the later mentioned guidelines were created and broadly agreed on by the entire ARP board. A small group of the authors (JN and NS), who subspecialise in sports-related concussion, was then delegated the task to compose the first draft of the accompanying statement. Once the first draft was completed, the remaining authors (RT, RM, DM, PR, RC, BJ, MG and JS), who sub-specialise in neurology, neuroanaesthesiology and neurosurgery, first edited the document. All remaining authors (BS, LL, EA, RW, JE, JG, RB, DC, AG, SG, PG, NR, PW, AF, CI) including those who do not specialise in neurosciences, then performed final edits. The final draft of the manuscript was reviewed and approved by all authors. Since the original final draft of April 2017, the statement has been revised to this current document. The revised document is based on consensus statements, guidelines and other related articles subsequently published. The revision has followed the same editing process as the original 2017 document.

Definitions and clarifications

Signs and symptoms of concussion

Box 2 lists the signs and symptoms of concussion that could be seen in combat sports. If a combat sports athlete displays one or more of these signs/symptoms, concern for concussion should be raised.

Current publications regarding concussion in combat sports

The current publications on combat sports provide limited data specific to concussion. Numerous publications from the ongoing Professional Fighters Brain Health Study and previous studies have demonstrated an association of increased changes of the brain on imaging and increased cognitive impairment with higher levels of fight exposure (frequency of competing and duration of career) in combat sports athletes.8–15 Increase exposure to sparring has also been associated with increased cognitive and balance dysfunction.16 However, in these publications, the role of concussion was not clearly defined.

Other publications in combat sports focus on outcomes and injuries sustained in competition. Many of these studies are retrospective assessments of fight records and/or videos.17–23 While these studies provide useful information, we recognise the pitfalls of extrapolating the data to concussion. A recent publication highlighted the large discrepancy in fight databases based on differences in documentation practices between sanctioning bodies, experience of the covering ringside physician and proportion of incomplete records.24 With regards to video analysis studies, it can only be speculated about whether a concussion had been sustained with no clear signs or detailed postfight physical exam. For these reasons, there are very few high-quality studies available about incidence of concussion in combat sports. A study that examined injuries sustained in professional kickboxing over a 16-year period showed an injury rate of 19.2 concussions per 1000 fight participations.25 Another well-designed study that followed elite amateur boxers over a 5-year period showed an incidence of 0.53 concussions for every 1000 hours of competing/training.26

Current practices in non-combat sports

In non-combat sports, it is universally agreed that, if an athlete is suspected to have suffered a concussion, he or she must be immediately removed from play and evaluated. If a concussion is diagnosed, he or she must not be allowed to return to sport (RTS) on the day of injury.4–7 The most recent consensus statement also recommends that athletes with a suspected concussion have a thorough evaluation, performed in a distraction free environment (eg, locker room and training room) rather than on the sideline.5 Most professional non-combat sports organisations have developed specific protocols for evaluating head injuries during a game.27 The overwhelming majority of non-combat sports organisations also require athletes who have sustained a concussion to go through an RTS protocol that consists of a gradual, stepwise increase in physical demands, sports-specific activities and the risk for contact. Many non-combat sports organisations also require medical clearance by a licenced healthcare provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion prior to full RTS without any restriction. In some cases of professional athletics, an ‘unaffiliated physician’ who practices independently of the team decides final clearance to RTS.27

All consensus statements agree that when an athlete sustains a concussion, an initial cognitive and physical rest period is needed prior to beginning an RTS protocol. However, what is not currently agreed on is the amount or duration of rest needed. Some statements recommend not beginning an RTS progression until the athlete no longer reports any concussion-related symptoms.6 7 Other publications recognise that (1) the current published evidence evaluating the effect of rest following a sports-related concussion is sparse and (2) light exercise may promote recovery after an initial period of rest.4 5 A 2016 publication that summarised a meeting of 37 concussion experts stated that, ‘strict rest is contraindicated (after concussion) and may exacerbate the effects of (the) injury’.28 This same publication also summarised that concussion symptoms and impairments are treatable and that concussions in which symptoms last a prolonged period of time be managed by a multidisciplinary team with active rehabilitation depending on the individual’s clinical profile.28 The most recent consensus statement recommends that there should be ‘a brief period of rest during the acute phase (24–48 hours) after injury, patients can then be encouraged to become gradually and progressively more active while staying below their cognitive and physical symptom-exacerbation thresholds (eg, activity level should not bring on or worsen their symptoms)’.5

Neuropsychological (NP) testing is one tool that informs sports-related concussion evaluation and management.4–7 Various computerised NP testing programmes have been developed. Computerised NP testing, while not as comprehensive as formal ‘pencil and paper’ NP testing, provides a ‘snapshot’ of a person’s cognitive status. Many non-combat sports organisations use computerised NP testing in RTS protocols. These protocols require athletes to return to his or her preinjury baseline computerised NP testing scores to return to competition. NP testing, however, should not be used as the sole determining factor in management decisions; it may serve as one part of the clinical decision-making process.

Current RTS practices in combat sports

Some combat sports organisations have developed specific written policies regarding intrabout evaluation/management of concussion and RTS after TKO/KO. Specifically, USA Boxing guidelines state that a match should be stopped if a boxer is showing signs and symptoms of concussion.29 USA Boxing guidelines also include minimum periods of suspension for TKO/KO.30

Suspensions in USA Boxing are based on whether there has been an LOC attendant to a TKO/KO, and the duration of an LOC following a TKO/KO as well as number of times a fighter has suffered a TKO/KO with or without LOC (table 1).

Regarding professional combat sports, intrabout evaluation of concussion and RTS after concussion vary from state-to-state/commission-to-commission. Some states/commissions have specific written guidelines regarding concussion, but other states/commissions do not, and procedures are followed based on previous precedent and at the discretion of the supervising ringside physician. Furthermore, while in some states/commissions, ringside physicians are authorised to stop a fight, while in other states/commissions, only the referee is the sole arbitrator of the fight but instructed to stop the fight on medical grounds at the ringside physician’s request. Minimum suspensions typically given in professional combat sports are 30 days for a TKO, 60 days for KO without LOC and 90 days for KO with LOC. However, as noted above, these timeframes vary depending on the state/commission. Some states/commissions require a lesser period of suspension if a fight went for a certain number of rounds, win or lose, for example, six or more rounds.

Ultimately, states/commissions often leave medical suspensions to the discretion of the covering ringside physician. Ringside physicians vary greatly in their level of ringside experience and subspecialty medical background leading to variations in postbout recommendations and suspensions. All periods of suspension imposed by states/commissions are enforceable as to competition only and have no effect on what a combatant may do in training/practice/sparring.

Currently, there are no general requirements for combat sports athletes to be evaluated by a licenced healthcare provider specifically trained in the evaluation and management of concussion as a part of medical clearance to RTS following a concussion or TKO/KO. Although a covering ringside physician may require a neurology clearance evaluation in addition to the period of suspension, such a requirement may not be stringently imposed. Unfortunately, current practices in most jurisdictions rarely require medical clearance to RTS following concussion or TKO/KO and generally use the 30/60/90/day suspensions as outlined above. This risks a combat sports athlete RTS in the absence of a robust medical evaluation.

Currently, no known combat sports organisation requires baseline formal NP or computerised NP testing.

Association of Ringside Physicians Concussion Management and Return to Play Guidelines for Combat Sports Athletes

Taking into consideration, the above-referenced differences between non-combat sports and combat sports, as well as the absence of uniformity among the jurisdictions that currently regulate combat sports, the ARP proposes the following guidelines for concussion management and RTS of a combat sports athlete:

Discussion of guidelines

The ARP recognises the rapid advancements in concussion management over the recent years and its adaptation into non-combat sports. This has created a safer environment and may lead to a decrease in morbidity associated with sports-related head trauma. Current non-combat sports RTS protocols do not allow an athlete to return to competition/contact if he or she is exhibiting any concussion symptoms. If a non-combat sports athlete suffers an injury and is showing signs or symptoms of concussion, he or she is removed from competition immediately, with no same-day RTS. The ARP agrees that this practice should also be employed in combat sports. If a combat sports athlete is exhibiting signs or symptoms of concussion during a bout (box 2), he or she should be evaluated by the covering ringside physician, and if a concussion is suspected, the bout should be immediately stopped on medical grounds (TKO).

Often, emphasis in suspensions and medical treatment is focused on the loser of the bout, or the one who suffers a KO or TKO. The ARP recommends that all combat sports athletes, including the winner, be evaluated for signs and symptoms of concussion and should be managed and treated accordingly. Evaluation should be performed immediately postbout ringside. A repeat evaluation should be performed postbout in a quieter, controlled setting such as the dressing room. Repeat evaluation is necessary to ensure that combatants do not display delayed onset signs and symptoms of concussion. It is not unreasonable for the covering ringside physician to consider a minimum suspension of 30 days for all fighters, win/lose/draw, if the fighter has been through a particularly long, gruelling, difficult bout.

The covering ringside physician (and other covering healthcare providers) should also be aware and evaluate fighters, postbout, for ‘red flag’ signs (box 3). Presence of these ‘red flag’ signs and symptoms should raise concern that a more serious brain injury has been sustained and the fighter should be emergently transported to a high-level emergency facility for screening and management of a potentially life-threatening condition.

Non-combat sports allow athletes to return to competition/contact when concussion symptoms resolve, and the athlete has tolerated a stepwise progression of activity without return of symptoms. The ARP is also in agreement with this premise. However, due to the nature and objective of combat sports, it is recommended that combat sports athletes should also wait a minimum specified amount of time (30/60/90 days) until return to contact. Return to fight protocols should be specific to the athlete’s combat sport.

Nalepa et al 32 have proposed recommendations with regard to return to fight protocols (table 2). This protocol is broken down into three phases: phase 1: return to general fitness; phase 2: return to non-contact fighting activities; and phase 3: return to contact fighting activities/sparring. It is recommended that a combat sports athlete should not begin phase 1 for at least 1 week after sustaining a concussion and/or loss via TKO/KO secondary to head strikes. This initial rest phase is the cornerstone of concussion management and allows for acute symptoms to resolve.4 Combat sports athletes may progress from phase 1 to phase 2 provided symptoms do not increase in severity. The combat sports athlete should perform one step per day, waiting a minimum of an additional 24 hours before moving on to the next step. If symptoms do not increase over that 24-hour period, he or she may move on to the next step. The athlete should not advance if concussion symptoms increase in that 24-hour period. If symptoms increase, he or she should go back to the prior step where symptoms did not increase. Under no circumstance should a combat sports athlete progress to phase 3 if he or she continues to exhibit concussion symptoms. Athletes who remain symptomatic for greater than 10 days should be seen by a physician trained in concussion management to monitor symptoms, initiate treatments and recommend activity progression.

For phases 1 and 2, there should be at least 24 hours (or longer) for each step of the progression. If any symptoms worsen during exercise, the athlete should go back to the previous step. Phase 3 should be started when concussion symptoms have resolved, and the athlete has completed phases 1 and 2. If symptoms are persistent (eg, more than 10 days), the athlete should be referred to a healthcare professional that is an expert in the management of concussion.

The majority of non-combat sports concussion protocols throughout the amateur and professional levels require evaluation and clearance by a healthcare provider trained in the management of concussion before return to contact/competition. The ARP also believes such a practice should be applied in combat sports. If a combat sports athlete is experiencing concussion signs and symptoms 30 min after his or her bout, or lost his or her bout by KO via strikes to the head, it is most likely the athlete has sustained a concussion. Accordingly, he or she should be evaluated and cleared by a healthcare provider skilled in concussion management before return to contact/competition. The specialist clearance should be in addition to the above-referenced recommended minimal day suspensions.

NP baseline testing is a helpful tool in making decisions regarding a return to fighting in combat sports athletes who have sustained a concussion. NP testing is also helpful for screening of neurological decline over the course of a combatant’s career. Computerised NP baseline testing is now widely available and affordable. For these reasons, the ARP recommends that all combat sports athletes undergo a validated, supervised and reproducible NP baseline test. Baseline vestibular/ocular and balance testing is a recommended adjunct for the same reasons.

Finally, none of these guidelines can be enforced outside of competition. Only the combat sports athlete and his or her coaches/trainers know what happens inside the gym and during training. Hence, athletes and their coaches/trainers should possess a thorough knowledge base regarding concussion and its signs/symptoms (box 2). Unfortunately, when there has been a tragic outcome in the ring, it is often revealed that the combat sports athlete suffered a head injury in training that was not divulged to the physician. If a combat sports athlete sustains an injury and is experiencing any signs or symptoms of a concussion during training or competition, he or she should be encouraged to remove themselves from contact activities and seek evaluation by a healthcare professional.

Qualifying statement

These guidelines are recommendations designed to assist ringside physicians, fighters, trainers, promoters, sanctioning bodies, governmental bodies and others in making decisions. These recommendations may be adopted, modified or rejected according to clinical needs and constraints and are not intended to replace local commission laws, regulations or policies. We hope that these guidelines will serve to augment locally agreed policies already in place. In addition, it should be understood that the guidelines developed by the ARP are not intended as standards or absolute requirements, and their use cannot guarantee any specific outcome. Guidelines are subject to revision as warranted by the evolution of medical knowledge, technology and practice. They provide basic recommendations that are supported by synthesis and analysis of the current literature, expert and practitioner opinion, commentary and clinical feasibility.