Feature
Taking the Gloves Off
Combat sport elicits a lot of passion for and against . Medical Forum looks at at the pros and cons .
From pulling on the boxing gloves in Northern Ireland , to playing professional rugby in Sweden and windsurfing in WA Dr Paddy Golden is one ED medico who doesn ’ t like to stand still . Paddy ’ s had a long involvement with sports medicine and he thinks that combat sport ( CS ) is getting some bad press that it doesn ’ t deserve . Perception , argues Paddy , is a long way from reality .
“ Some people have jokingly suggested that an ED on a Saturday night is a bit like combat sport . It ’ s not , because CS is so well controlled . Everyone knows the requirements , from the competitors to the referee and the physician in attendance . It ’ s an absolutely honest and transparent activity .”
The sport has rigorous safety-based requirements , some of which commence well before the event . There is a precontest medical examination , a check of biannual infectious disease serology and annual certificate of fitness , medical attendance and treatment ( if required ) at the event and a post-contest medical examination . In some sports there is also random drug testing .
“ We have international and interstate competitors coming to WA and we check their accreditation and serology from HIV to Hepatitis B and C . If there ’ s a doubt about any aspect of their fitness they aren ’ t allowed to compete . In fact , I wouldn ’ t have let the Danny Green / Paul Briggs contest go ahead and I said so in evidence to the Combat Sports Commission ( CSC ). Briggs wasn ’ t fit to fight – he was weakened from recent weight loss , his eyesight was compromised and his balance wasn ’ t good .”
“ I ’ ve stopped guys from fighting because they ’ ve failed medicals at the weigh-in . It ’ s disappointing for them and their opponent .”
Paddy has a long history of involvement in sport , including pulling on the boxing gloves as a youngster . He grew up in the West Indies , did his medical training in Scotland and both his parents are doctors .
“ I did some competitive boxing in Northern Ireland but rugby took over from that with a stint playing professionally in Sweden . I came to Perth in 1998 and that was very much a climatic decision . I ’ m not that keen on the cold .”
��ED physician Dr Paddy Golden says combat sport gets bad press it doesn ’ t deserve
“ Sports Medicine Australia contacted me and I did medical supervision at triathlons and the City to Surf . I still work with the Associates Rugby Club and I have a real passion for combat sports . I get paid a nominal fee but I ’ d do it for nothing .”
“ I ’ m the principal adviser to the CSC but , notwithstanding that , I think that for any member of the medical profession the priority is the health and safety of the individual . It ’ s not ethical to isolate one group and say , ‘ I ’ m not going to support you because I don ’ t agree with the choices you ’ ve made .’ Where do you stop ? Do we refuse to see people in EDs because they smoke ?”
“ The AMA is quite happy for members to treat smokers , drug addicts and alcoholics , but it ’ s a different story for anyone involved in combat sports . It has withdrawn its support from the CSC and that ’ s definitely
had a negative impact . Boxing WA is finding it harder to get doctors . It ’ s legally required for a doctor to be in attendance and there have been occasions when it ’ s been impossible to find one .”
“ Perception doesn ’ t match reality . In amateur boxing they use head-guards , larger gloves and it ’ s highly regulated .”
“ I ’ d like people to gain a better understanding of these sports . Decisions are being made on the basis of a distorted perception and , in many cases , it ’ s a distinctly limited view . I ’ ve heard people say that ‘ the sport ’ s barbaric ’ and they don ’ t want to be seen to support it , but there ’ s a certain hysteria to all this . Good medicine is evidence-based but the people who are against CS only look at the risks and don ’ t see the benefits .”
Paddy believes there are many positives of participating in these sports , both for the
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