Boxing is a dynamic sport that enhances muscle strength and endurance while also providing stress relief, improved coordination, and cardiovascular maintenance. You should be aware of the potential risks of boxing if you enjoy doing this activity.

Risk of Injury in Boxing

There are a number of different workout routines that include boxing moves or movements that are performed on a heavy bag. But, in boxing itself, the activity involves two people throwing punches at each other. Boxers usually wear padded boxing gloves and protective gear such as head protection and dental protection. This activity is a high-risk sport because it involves punching movements in the head and body area.

Some of the injury risks in boxing include:

Head injury

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 90% of boxers suffer traumatic brain injuries during their careers. Compared to other sports, boxing may cause fewer deaths, but the number of boxers suffering from brain damage is believed to be much higher than is currently known.

According to Verywell Fit, receiving a direct blow to the head from a boxer is comparable to receiving impact from a 5.8 kg bowling ball traveling at 32 km/h. This blow can cause fractures and brain tissue damage that triggers brain surface damage, tears nerve tissue, causes bleeding, or creates a large blood clot inside the brain. This blow can cause bone fractures and brain tissue damage that triggers brain surface damage, tears nerve tissue, causes bleeding, or creates large blood clots inside the brain.

One type of head injury that boxers or wrestlers experience is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or brain damage due to repeated head injuries. These injuries cause the death of some nerve cells in the brain, which can worsen over time. Symptoms of CTE often go undetected, but are usually characterized by difficulty in thinking, decreased concentration, forgetfulness, behavioral problems, motor impairment, and others.

Brain disorders

Former boxers are more prone to natural aging of the brain and brain diseases. Boxers have a higher risk of developing diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Boxers' brains are also smaller and have thinner gray matter surfaces. The ventricles within the brain are enlarged due to a reduction in the white matter portion of the brain.

Eye injury

Even though the hard bone that surrounds the eye protects it, a direct blow from below during boxing can still injure it. Eye injuries can result from direct hits or shockwaves from other movements. These damages include injury to the retina, retinal pull from the back of the eye, retinal hemorrhage, and other injuries.

Other injuries

In addition to the above injuries, boxing is also prone to causing other injuries such as wounds, bruises, broken teeth, dental problems, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and internal organ damage.

Boxing has benefits for physical and mental health, but it can lead to various types of injuries. You should always use boxing gear such as boxing gloves, head protection, mouth protection, and knee protection to keep you safe. Remove all jewelry and wear comfortable clothing to avoid the risk of snagging and injury.

When doing high-risk sports, it is best to follow the advice of a trainer or instructor to avoid injury. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store

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