Examining the occurrence and outcomes of concussion and mTBI in mixed martial arts athletes: a systematic review.

Abstract

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a sport growing in popularity around the world. However, many individuals participate in the sport with little understanding of the potential short- and long-term consequences of injuries sustained while participating. Specifically, individuals are placed at a high risk of minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussive episodes as a result of head injuries incurred during training and competition. The current review aimed to examine the literature surrounding the occurrence and outcomes of mTBI in MMA athletes to gain a better understanding of these consequences. Twenty-five studies were identified within the current review, of which 14 examined occurrence of mTBI within the sport setting, and elevenidentified outcomes of injury. Overall, studies found that MMA athletes experienced mTBI and concussion to a greater extent than athletes in other sports. Deficits in memory, reaction time and processing speed were identified following occurrence of mTBI; however, several gaps in outcome measurement were identified within the current literature, including a lack of focus on speech and language outcomes. Future research should examine a wider variety of outcomes to provide a clearer understanding of the consequences of participating in the sport.