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Nutrition in Combat Sports

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182 M. Goodman and E. Homansky<br />

climb between the ropes and look at the fighter head on. Otherwise, how will you be<br />

able to adequately assess cranial nerve function and speech, and <strong>in</strong>sure that the fighter<br />

is not compla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of a headache, dizz<strong>in</strong>ess, or loss of vision; all th<strong>in</strong>gs that would<br />

compel you to jump <strong>in</strong> and recommend the contest end?<br />

Some fighters have wills of iron and a skull to match. The same standards hold<br />

true for head blows as they do for lacerations and eye <strong>in</strong>juries. If the fighter appears<br />

to have no chance of victory, and allow<strong>in</strong>g him to cont<strong>in</strong>ue could result <strong>in</strong> irreparable<br />

harm, there is no reason for additional punishment.<br />

11.7 Post-fight Exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

Perhaps the most crucial th<strong>in</strong>g a physician or tra<strong>in</strong>er can do for an athlete after a<br />

fight is ensure they have been appropriately diagnosed and triaged. All too often a<br />

fighter’s adrenal<strong>in</strong> will take over, and it will be m<strong>in</strong>utes to hours before they recognize<br />

symptoms and compla<strong>in</strong>ts that could <strong>in</strong>dicate serious or life-threaten<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>juries.<br />

The process becomes equally difficult for the r<strong>in</strong>gside physician who has little<br />

time with the combatant to perform a complete exam<strong>in</strong>ation.<br />

A physician should accompany the fighters to their dress<strong>in</strong>g rooms when they<br />

leave the r<strong>in</strong>g as this is precious time to document neurological changes <strong>in</strong> their condition.<br />

This becomes of greater significance if the contest was stopped due to head<br />

blows. We recommend a post-fight checklist that documents symptoms, <strong>in</strong>juries,<br />

recommendations, and the suspension.<br />

11.7.1 Remember That Even the W<strong>in</strong>ner<br />

Can Suffer Serious Injuries<br />

Table 11.4 lists the signs and symptoms that may <strong>in</strong>dicate a serious <strong>in</strong>jury and<br />

require further evaluation <strong>in</strong> an emergency room. First and foremost, any athlete<br />

Table 11.4 Post-fight signs and symptoms <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g a serious head <strong>in</strong>jury<br />

Headache<br />

Nausea or vomit<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Dizz<strong>in</strong>ess<br />

Amnesia<br />

Confusion<br />

Blurred vision/diplopia/pupillary <strong>in</strong>equality<br />

Ataxia/gait unstead<strong>in</strong>ess/loss of coord<strong>in</strong>ation<br />

Hear<strong>in</strong>g loss/t<strong>in</strong>nitus<br />

Unilateral weakness/sensory deficits<br />

Decreased alertness<br />

Seizure<br />

Personality changes/irritability

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