Wed Sep 25 04:32:18 UTC 2024: ## Slap Fighting: A New Sport With a Disturbingly High Risk of Concussion

A new study published in JAMA Surgery has raised serious concerns about the safety of slap fighting, a combat sport rapidly gaining popularity. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System analyzed footage from the first season of the Power Slap competition, a televised slap fighting league owned by UFC CEO Dana White.

The analysis revealed that nearly 30% of the 333 slaps studied showed visible signs of concussion in the participants, including vacant stares, slowness in standing, coordination issues, and even vomiting. Over three-quarters of the 56 contestants showed at least one sign of concussion, and 20 contestants suffered visible signs of a second concussion during the competition.

While the study acknowledges that its findings are based on visual observation and not a formal diagnosis, it highlights the potentially severe neurological consequences of slap fighting.

Experts, including neuroscientist and former professional wrestler Christopher Nowinski and neurologist Nikolas Evangelou, have expressed alarm at the sport’s inherent danger. Nowinski pointed to a contestant displaying a fencing posture, a reflex indicative of brain injury, after being slapped, stating that the sport is “pure exploitation.” Evangelou warned of the potential for serious brain injuries, including dissections, saying it’s “a matter of time” before such incidents occur.

Lead author Dr. Raj Swaroop Lavadi emphasized the team’s concern for the athletes’ neurological health, noting that while banning the sport is difficult, raising awareness about the associated risks is crucial. The research team is currently working on a new study using mouthpieces to measure the force of impact to the head, hoping to improve safety standards for participants in this emerging sport.

The study adds to the growing body of evidence concerning the potential for traumatic brain injury in contact sports and underscores the need for robust safety protocols and continued research to protect athletes.

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