individual and in a broader philosophical sense . [ The CSC is the controlling body for boxing , Muay Thai , Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA ), Kickboxing and Shooto contests .]
“ You only need to talk with the trainers to know that some of the guys they ’ ve been working with need guidance and control in their lives and it ’ s important for them to see there are consequences for their actions . There ’ s a great deal of mutual respect in the ring . It ’ s an activity that instils some fine personal qualities and a good philosophy for life .”
Paddy is concerned that some people are making decisions based on limited perceptions . When he speaks with other doctors regarding CS , it elicits a range of reactions .
“ The doctors who ’ ve seen it for themselves are uniformly positive and most of the ones who haven ’ t don ’ t express much of an opinion . There ’ s no doubt that there are people who regard the sport as pretty unpleasant and don ’ t want to be seen supporting it . In some cases , when you mention CS , there ’ s this lingering perception of two men entering an arena and only one man leaves .”
This is particularly so whenever the term , ‘ cage fighting ’ is bandied about . This has no relevance whatsoever to CS , argues Paddy , however it may well have influenced a recent legislative decision affecting MMA events . The sport , as a whole , is administered under the Combat Sports Act 1987 and from March 1 , a ban on ‘ fenced enclosures ’ in MMA events has come into effect .
“ This is yet another distorted perception of CS . MMA is a three-dimensional sport and the ‘ fenced enclosure ’ is nothing like a ‘ cage ’. It ’ s the medical aspect I ’ m concerned about , specifically the competitors and the people sitting at ringside when ejections
Injury is just a punch away
Dr David Holthouse is a Wembley neurosurgeon who ’ s concerned about the cumulative effects of combat sports but is also aware of the value of sensible legislative controls .
“ I ’ m not completely against these sports but the research is pretty clear on the potential risk of long-term problems . Technically , there are no safe parameters when you ’ re stepping into a ring and facing the occur . The square , roped area used for boxing isn ’ t suitable for just that reason . It ’ s interesting to note that the CSC actually supports the use of fenced enclosures for MMA , but they have no choice but to abide by this decision .”
“ I wrote to the WA Minister of Sport and Recreation , Terry Waldron , [ see the Minister ’ s response to Medical Forum ] and expressed my concerns and , in particular , the fact that the more dangerous ejections occur rapidly with no opportunity to reposition competitors in the centre of the ring . I ’ ve had support from the Association of Ringside Physicians in the USA , with Dr Joe Estwanik citing past incidences of serious injury due to ejection through roped enclosures .”
Paddy hopes the medical fraternity look beyond the common perceptions of CS and make an informed , evidence-based judgement .
It ’ s important to focus on the reality of CS . There are boundaries that need to be drawn , but to withdraw medical support from something that fosters a healthy lifestyle is a blinkered approach .
“ It ’ s important to focus on the reality of CS . There are boundaries that need to be drawn , but to withdraw medical support from something that fosters a healthy lifestyle is a blinkered approach . I ’ d argue that until you understand something fully you shouldn ’ t pass judgement on it . Come along and see for yourself .”
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possibility of being knocked unconscious . Any fight can go badly and an individual is only ever one punch away from a brain injury .”
“ There isn ’ t a neurosurgeon anywhere who ’ d dispute that .”
“ I ’ d like to see some controls in place where , after any sort of head trauma , there ’ s a period of compulsory suspension and perhaps there should be a baseline MRI so that a competitor can be monitored over a period of time .”
“ I would never openly support combat sport but it ’ s legal and , if it were banned , people would find avenues to keep doing it . Repeated head trauma is not a good thing and some individuals will definitely end up with long-term problems . If I were asked to tick a box that resulted in these sports not continuing then I probably would .”
Minister Defends Enclosure Ban
The WA Minister for Sport and Recreation , Terry Waldron , acknowledges both the value and diversity of Combat Sports ( CS ) and is a strong supporter of continuing medical supervision . However , he has given the ‘ thumbs down ’ to the use of a fenced enclosure .
“ Combat Sport is a legitimate industry and a popular pastime that promotes health and fitness , as well as being an entertainment spectacle . Quite aside from the health and social dividends that participation in sport delivers , combat sports in general have an enhanced focus on individual qualities such as discipline and respect .”
“ I sought advice from the Department of Sport and Recreation , the Combat Sports Commission ( CSC ) and the industry itself before making a decision to ban the fenced enclosure for MMA . The CSC will continue to monitor MMA contests to ensure the safety of all participants , officials and spectators .”
The Minister agrees that an integral part of the effective monitoring of this sector involves the full participation of the medical fraternity .
“ The medical supervision of combat sports events is very important and the CSC takes this matter seriously . Following amendments to the Combat Sports Act 1987 , which came into force on March 1 , 2013 , the medical supervision of both amateur and professional contests is now legislated and required by law .”
“ I ’ m disappointed that the AMA has withdrawn its association with the CSC and the broader combat sports industry . While I respect the views of some within the AMA I don ’ t understand their reasoning in withdrawing a direct association , and therefore influence , within the industry .”
“ However , we ’ ve made the necessary amendments to the Act whereby the Minister can now appoint a medical practitioner to the CSC . There ’ s a database of doctors who are available to attend combat sports events and promoters use this list to provide medical supervision at contests .”
ED : AMA WA withdrew from the its position on the Professional Combat Sports Commission in 2011 . The then president Dr David Mountain said at the time it was inappropriate for the association to remain part of the commission because AMA WA opposed the sport of boxing as research showed there was a number of damaging health effects associated with it . �
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