Patient selection: mixed martial art participant
Risk factors for head injury:
(1) history of previous knock out or technical knock out
(2) number of blows delivered between knock out injury and the interruption of the fight
(3) premature return to training or participation after head injury (recommended interval 60 days for a knock out and 30 days for a technical knock out)
(4) heavy-weight class
(5) older age
(6) earlier round or earlier time in a round
Recommendations to reduce head injury and concussion:
(1) ban youths from participating in mixed martial arts
(2) education and training of referees
(3) national database to record all knock outs and technical knock outs
(4) strict enforcement of time intervals for recovery after head injury
(5) 10-count interruption following significant head injury
(6) attendance by on-site trained medical staff
