A julgar pelo estudo abaixo, o MMA não é mais perigoso que os demais desportos de combate. E os outros desportos, como o boxe, são perigosos? Apesar disso, médicos da BMA sempre foram de opinião de que o boxe, e por similitude agora o MMA, deveriam ser banidos. Ora isto seria muito chato porque aí deixaríamos de poder ver a Gina Carano em acção. Lutas à parte, existem diversos elementos psicológicos/sociológicos nos desportos de combate que atraem as pessoas a estes desafios. Como diria Jean Anouilh, "Amarmo-nos é lutar constantemente contra milhares de forças ocultas que brotam de nós mesmos ou do mundo".
Br J Sports Med. 2008 Aug;42(8):686-9. Epub 2008 Feb 28.
Injury trends in sanctioned mixed martial arts competition: a 5-year review from 2002 to 2007. (pdf)
Department of Emergency Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Medical University, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Professional mixed martial arts (MMA) competition is a full-contact sport that has risen rapidly in popularity in recent years. However, there is limited information regarding the incidence of competition injuries after sanctioning by an athletic commission.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine MMA injury patterns during a 5 year period after sanctioning in the state of Nevada. Data from all regulated MMA competitions during the study period from March 2002 to September 2007 (1270 fight exposures) was obtained. Injury odds ratios were calculated by conditional logistic regression on match outcome, age, weight, and fight experience, using a pair-matched case-control design (n = 464) and by multiple logistic regression on match outcome, age, fight experience, weight, combat minutes, and scheduled rounds.
RESULTS: During the 635 professional MMA matches, 300 of the 1270 athletes sustained documented injuries with an injury rate of 23.6 per 100 fight participations. Most common reported injuries were lacerations and upper limb injuries. Severe concussion rate was 15.4 per 1000 athlete exposures, or 3% of all matches. No deaths or critical sports-related injuries resulted from any of the regulated matches during the study period. Age, weight and fight experience did not statistically increase the likelihood of injuries after controlling for other covariates.
CONCLUSIONS: Injury rates in regulated professional MMA competition are similar to other combat sports; the overall risk of critical sports-related injury seems to be low. Additional study is warranted to achieve a better understanding of injury trends and ways to further lower injury risk in MMA.
Br J Sports Med. 2006 Feb;40(2):169-72.
No holds barred sport fighting: a 10 year review of mixed martial arts competition. (pdf)
Cannon USAF Clinics, Aerospace/Preventive Medicine, Clovis, NM 88103, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the most salient medical issues that may be associated with mixed martial arts competition by determining the types and proportions of match stoppages.
METHODS: Publicly available video footage of 1284 men competing in 642 consecutive televised matches from November 1993 to November 2003 was reviewed to determine the reasons for which matches were stopped. Matches were sanctioned by either a United States or Japan based mixed martial arts organisation.
RESULTS: Of the 642 matches, 182 (28.3+/-3.4%) were stopped because of head impact, 106 (16.5+/-2.9%) because of musculoskeletal stress, 91 (14.1+/-2.7%) because of neck choke, 83 (12.9+/-2.6%) because of miscellaneous trauma, 173 (27.0+/-3.4%) because of expiration of match time, and seven (1.0+/-0.8%) because of disqualification, where the values in parentheses are percentages+/-95% confidence interval.
CONCLUSIONS: Blunt force to the head resulted in the highest proportion of match stoppages. Further research is warranted to delineate the morbidity associated with participation in mixed martial arts.
Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jul;39(7):444-7.
Risk of cervical injuries in mixed martial arts. (pdf)
Kochhar T, Back DL, Mann B, Skinner J.
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK. <>
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mixed martial arts have rapidly succeeded boxing as the world’s most popular full contact sport, and the incidence of injury is recognised to be high.
OBJECTIVE: To assess qualitatively and quantitatively the potential risk for participants to sustain cervical spine and associated soft tissue injuries.
METHODS: Four commonly performed manoeuvres with possible risks to the cervical spine were analysed with respect to their kinematics, and biomechanical models were constructed.
RESULTS: Motion analysis of two manoeuvres revealed strong correlations with rear end motor vehicle impact injuries, and kinematics of the remaining two suggested a strong risk of injury. Mathematical models of the biomechanics showed that the forces involved are of the same order as those involved in whiplash injuries and of the same magnitude as compression injuries of the cervical spine.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is a significant risk of whiplash injuries in this sport, and there are no safety regulations to address these concerns.
BMJ. 2007 Sep 8;335(7618):469.
Mixed martial arts and boxing should be banned, says BMA. (pdf)