Nutrition in Combat Sports

184 M. Goodman and E. Homansky
11.8 Drug Testing
Drug testing is necessary to maintain fairness and integrity in all sports. In unarmed
combat contests, it will be undertaken if the fight is a championship contest. However,
at some time many fighters entertain using performance-enhancing agents or illicit
drugs. Although drug testing is covered elsewhere in this text, it is important for those
involved in all aspects of boxing, martial arts (MA), and mixed martial arts to understand
the pervasive use of such substances, and that all too few athletes understand
the potential side effects and risks involved. It is the duty of the ring physician and
commission to educate as many athletes as possible regarding this issue. It is untrue
that only heavyweights or fighters moving up in weight use anabolic steroids. This is
a problem in all weight classes.
Testing cannot become a deterrent unless widely utilized. We recommend similar
protocols to those used by World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and the
Olympics, where athletes can be tested during their training or as soon as a bout
contract is signed. Fighters should be educated regarding medications that could place
them at additional harm before or during a contest. A complete list of prohibited
medications can be provided to fighters and their trainers in advance of the fight. Over
the counter medications such as Aspirin can be overlooked as something potentially
harmful to a fighter. Fighters need to understand that they must take personal responsibility
for every type of supplement or medication used, and that ignorance is not an
excuse for a positive drug screen. In advance, the fighters’ camp must provide the
commission the names of any medications they are currently taking.
11.9 Hand Injuries
Hands are a fighter’s first line of defense. Every hand injury in a fighter is important.
If ignored, a minor injury will become a major one. According to Dr. Charles Melone,
a prominent New York hand surgeon who has treated hundreds of fighters, “One-third
of all boxing injuries involve the hands. The high incidence relates to unsupervised
punching and unlimited sparring especially at an early age.” Wrapping hands properly
during every training session is as important as during a fight. Dr. Melone notes:
“Too many trainers make the hand wraps too bulky and neglect protection of the
knuckles where most of the injuries occur.”
If a fighter continues to have hand pain for more than a few days following sparring
or a fight, he should seek medical attention. The doctor, preferably an orthopedic
hand specialist, will examine the fighter for painful joint laxity, deformities,
and limited joint motion. This is typically followed by plain radiographs. However,
computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) may be useful in select cases of ligament or tendon injury.
Initially, hand injuries may benefit from elevation, anti-inflammatories, ice, and
splinting. As per the discretion of the hand surgeon, others may benefit from local
injections of anti-inflammatories. Repeated injections should be avoided or they