Epidemiology of muay thai fight-related injuries

Combat sports are generally considered more dangerous and risky compared to other athletic activities, as scoring is inextricably linked to inflicting damage on an opponent. This fundamentally unique intent, to injure an adversary in a contest is replete with injury risks from physical exposures. One combat sport increasingly popular among US youth, known as Muay Thai, yields scant epidemiologic study on fighter injuries. To develop a surveillance system to provide magnitude and scope of injury outcomes in order to frame the public health significance. Three surveillance approaches were utilized to identify eligible participants to complete a web survey regarding Muay Thai fight-related injuries. The target population yielded a convenience sample of 195 fighters participating in sanctioned fights across North America and the UK. Regression analyses were conducted to determine whether the injury outcome was related to additional factors such as experience, protection and pre-existing injury. Depending on the approach, contact rates ranged from 83.3-100%; cooperation rates ranging from 44-80%; response rates ranged from 30-60% and 20-55%. Fighters were aged 18 to 47 years old (median 26); predominantly male (85.9%); and white (72.3%). Respondents were professional (n=96, 49.2%) and amateur (n=99, 50.8%) Fighters reported a range of fight experience from 1-111 total fights, with a mean of 15.83. Of the 195 respondents, 108 (55.4%) reported sustaining an injury during the fight. The primary body region that was injured were the extremities (58%). The primary cause or mechanism of the fight injuries was due to being “struck by” the opponent in more than 2/3 of the incidents. Nearly 2/3 (66.7%) of all injured fighters reported that the injury did not interfere with the completion of the fight and was not a factor in the bout outcome (i.e., win, loss, draw). Nearly 25% reported they missed no training time as a result of the injury incurred during the fight. Subsequent regression models yielded several individual level variables of interest relative to the injury outcome. These included fighter status, weight, age, equipment and previous injury. The majority of the injuries incurred by fighters were mild in severity to the extremities, as a result of being struck by or striking the opponent. Lighter, younger, and more experienced fighters were at increased odds for injury within this sample

Vitamin K Status and Lower Extremity Function in Older Adults: The Health Aging and Body Composition Study

While low vitamin K status has been associated with several chronic diseases that can lead to lower extremity disability, it is not known if low vitamin K status is associated with worse lower extremity function

Concussion knowledge, attitudes and reporting intention among adult competitive Muay Thai kickboxing athletes: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Muay Thai kickboxing is a full-contact combat sport with a high incidence of head trauma, yet little is known about these athletes’ concussion knowledge and attitudes. This study aims to describe and quantify concussion knowledge, attitudes, and reporting intention among adult competitive Muay Thai kickboxing athletes. Results This cross-sectional study comprised 193 competitive Muay Thai kickboxing athletes aged ≥18 years registered with the Thai Boxing Association Sanctioning Authority. The mean concussion knowledge score was 19.5 (SD 2.3) out of 25, the mean concussion attitudes score was 62.7 (SD 7.4) out of 75, and 134 (69.4%) of respondents indicated that they were likely to report concussion symptoms. No significant predictors of concussion knowledge, attitudes, or reporting intention were revealed. Conclusions Competitive Muay Thai kickboxing athletes appear to have reasonably good concussion knowledge, attitudes, and reporting intention; however, there is still room for further improvement. It is recommended that concussion education programs based on current best evidence are made available to all kickboxing athletes and coaches

Evaluation of a mobile safety center’s impact on pediatric home safety behaviors

Abstract Background A Mobile Safety Center (MSC) provides safety resources to families to prevent pediatric injury. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of an MSC on home safety behaviors. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study with 50 parents and guardians recruited at community events attended by an MSC. Participants completed a pre-test assessing demographics and home safety behaviors prior to participating in the MSC’s home safety educational program. We conducted follow-up with participants 4 weeks (follow-up 1) and 6 months (follow-up 2) after their visit to the MSC to reassess home safety behaviors. We used descriptive statistics in addition to Friedman, Wilcoxon sum-rank, and Fisher’s exact testing to analyze respondent demographics and changes in home safety practices. Friedman and Wilcoxon sum-rank testing was performed only for participants who completed all surveys. Results Of our 50 participants, 29 (58%) completed follow-up 1, 30 (60%) completed follow-up 2, and 26 (52%) completed both. Participants were more likely to have a fire-escape plan at follow-up 1 than on the pre-test (p = 0.014). They were also more likely to have the Poison Control Hotline number accessible in their cellphone or near a home phone at follow-up 1 compared to the pre-test (p = 0.002) and follow-up 2 compared to the pre-test (p < 0.001). Families with at least one household member who smoked or used e-cigarettes at any point during the study (n = 16 for the total population, n = 9 for those who completed both surveys) were less likely to have more than two smoke detectors installed at home during the pre-test (p = 0.049). However, this significantly changed across timepoints (p = 0.018), and while 44.4% reported more than two detectors during the pre-test, 88.9% reported this at both follow-ups. Conclusions Home safety education through an MSC positively changed some reported safety behaviors and maintained these changes at long-term follow-up. By encouraging the adoption of better home safety practices, education at an MSC may decrease pediatric injury rates

Epidemiology of Muay Thai fight-related injuries

Background: Muay Thai is a combat sport of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. Currently, little is known about the injuries and risk factors for injuries among Muay Thai fighters. Gaining more insight into the nature and frequency of injury in this sport provides part of the overall sports injury picture, within the larger burden of injury as a public health issue. Generating this information is a critical first step toward the broader goal of improving the health and safety of Muay Thai fighters engaged in competition. Methods: This study is based upon a survey of 195 Muay Thai fighters. Participants were asked to complete a retrospective web survey on fight-related injuries. Regression analyses were conducted to determine whether injuries during sanctioned fights were related to factors such as fight experience, use of protective equipment, and injury history. Results: Participants were aged 18 to 47 years old (median 26), predominantly male (85.9%), and white (72.3%). Respondents were professional (n = 96, 49.2%) and amateur (n = 99, 50.8%). Fighters reported a mean fight experience of 15.8 fights. Of the 195 respondents, 108 (55.4%) reported sustaining an injury during the most recent fight. The primary body region injured was the extremities (58%) versus the head, with a lower amount of self-reported concussions (5.4%). Nearly 2/3 (66.7%) of all injured fighters reported that the injury did not interfere with the bout outcome. Nearly 25% reported they missed no training time as a result of the injury. Injuries were related to professional fighter status (OR = 2. 5, 95% CI = 1.4–4.5), fight experience (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.5–4.9), weight class (OR = 0.923 heavy versus light, 95% CI = .86–.99), age (OR = 0.90 \u3e 26 versus ≤26, 95% CI = .85–.95), use of protective equipment (OR = .46, 95% CI = .26–.82) and previous injury (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = .98–3.3). Lighter, younger, and more experienced fighters were at increased odds for injury within this sample. Conclusions: We identified a preliminary fight-related injury rate and identified fighter characteristics (experience level, protection level, and previous injury) associated with increased odds for fight-related injury outcome. While rigorous research into causality is required, these data provide plausible information that may be used to reduce injury outcomes among fighters

Vitamin K Status and Lower Extremity Function in Older Adults: The Health Aging and Body Composition Study

BACKGROUND: While low vitamin K status has been associated with several chronic diseases that can lead to lower extremity disability, it is not known if low vitamin K status is associated with worse lower extremity function. METHODS: Vitamin K status was measured according to plasma phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) in 1,089 community-dwelling older adults (mean ± SD age =74±3 years; 67% female). Lower extremity function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed, and isokinetic leg strength. Linear regression and mixed models were used to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between vitamin K status and functional outcome measures. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, higher plasma phylloquinone was associated with better SPPB scores and 20-m gait speed (p ≤ .05). After 4–5 years, those with ≥1.0nM plasma phylloquinone (the concentration achieved when recommended intakes are met) had better SPPB scores (p = .03) and 20-m gait speed (p < .05). Lower plasma dp-ucMGP (reflective of better vitamin K status) was associated with better SPPB scores and leg strength cross-sectionally (p ≤ .04), but not longitudinally. Neither measure of vitamin K status was associated with walking endurance or with the rate of decline in function. CONCLUSION: Older adults with higher vitamin K status had better physical performance scores at baseline, but data are less consistent longitudinally. Since lower extremity disability is a common consequence of multiple chronic diseases for which a role of vitamin K has been suggested, future studies are needed to determine if vitamin K supplementation could improve function in those with vitamin K insufficiency and clarify underlying mechanism(s)

Vitamin K Status and Lower Extremity Function in Older Adults: The Health Aging and Body Composition Study

While low vitamin K status has been associated with several chronic diseases that can lead to lower extremity disability, it is not known if low vitamin K status is associated with worse lower extremity function. Vitamin K status was measured according to plasma phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) in 1,089 community-dwelling older adults (mean +/- SD age =74 +/- 3 years; 67% female). Lower extremity function was assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed, and isokinetic leg strength. Linear regression and mixed models were used to determine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between vitamin K status and functional outcome measures. Cross-sectionally, higher plasma phylloquinone was associated with better SPPB scores and 20-m gait speed (p a parts per thousand currency sign .05). After 4-5 years, those with a parts per thousand yen1.0nM plasma phylloquinone (the concentration achieved when recommended intakes are met) had better SPPB scores (p = .03) and 20-m gait speed (p <.05). Lower plasma dp-ucMGP (reflective of better vitamin K status) was associated with better SPPB scores and leg strength cross-sectionally (p a parts per thousand currency sign .04), but not longitudinally. Neither measure of vitamin K status was associated with walking endurance or with the rate of decline in function. Older adults with higher vitamin K status had better physical performance scores at baseline, but data are less consistent longitudinally. Since lower extremity disability is a common consequence of multiple chronic diseases for which a role of vitamin K has been suggested, future studies are needed to determine if vitamin K supplementation could improve function in those with vitamin K insufficiency and clarify underlying mechanism(s)