Should an increase in cerebral neurochemicals following head kicks in full contact karate influence return to play?
Author
Graham, Michael
Pates, J.
Davies, Bruce
Cooper, Stephen-Mark
Battacharya, K.
Evans, P. J.
Baker, Julien
Date
2015Type
Article
Publisher
Sage Publishers
ISSN
0394-6320
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Cerebral neurochemicals are markers of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine whether kicks to the head (KTH) in full contact karate significantly increased serum concentrations of protein S-100B, and neurone specific enolase (NSE). Kicks to the body (KTB) were also quantified to asses muscle tissue injury. Muscle damage was assessed by analysis of serum total creatine kinase (CK).
Methods: Twenty four full contact karate practitioners were observed and filmed during actual competition and divided into two main groups post event:
(1): Kicks to the head and body group (KTH) n=12, mean ± SD, age 30.4 ± 6.7 years; height 1.74 ± 0.1 metres; weight 79.1 ± 2.1 kg.
2): Kicks to the body group (KTB) n=12, mean ± SD, age 28.2 ± 6.5 years; height 1.75 ± 0.1 metres; weight 79.2 ± 1.7 kg.
The KTH group received direct kicks to the head, while group KTB received kicks and punches to the body. Blood samples were taken before and immediately post-combat for analysis of serum S-100B, NSE, CK and cardiac troponin.
Results: Significant increases in serum concentrations of S-100B (0.12 ± 0.17 vs 0.37 ± 0.26, µg.L-1) and NSE (11.8 ± 4.1 vs 20.2 ± 9.1 ng.ml-1) were encountered after combat in the KTH group and CK (123 ± 53 vs 184 ± 103 U.L-1) in the KTB group (all P<0.05).
Conclusions: Head kicks in full contact karate cause elevation of neurochemical markers associated with damaged brain tissue. The severity of injury is related to the early post-traumatic release of protein S-100B and NSE. The early kinetics and appearance post injury can reflect intracranial pathology, and suggest S-100B and NSE are extremely sensitive prognostic markers of TBI.
Journal/conference proceeding
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology
Citation
Graham, M.R., Pates, J., Davies, B., Cooper, S.M., Bhattacharya, K., Evans, P.J. and Baker, J.S., (2015) 'Should an increase in cerebral neurochemicals following head kicks in full contact karate influence return to play?', International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 28(4) p.0394632015577045.
Description
This article was published in International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology on 26 March 2015 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0394632015577045
Sponsorship
N/A
Collections
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