Nutrition in Combat Sports

342 G.J. Buse
during training and competition. However, there was no conclusive evidence that
training or competition resulted in compromised renal or hepatic function.
Several case reports about kickboxing-related injuries have been published in
the medical literature. During a world championship match, a kickboxer received
multiple blows to his left thigh. [30] Six hours after the match, he presented with
progressively worsening thigh pain. Based on his pain, a palpably tense anterior
thigh, and an elevated intracompartmental pressure measurement, he was diagnosed
with acute compartment syndrome. The middle portion of his left vastus
lateralis was found to be ruptured and 300 ml of blood was evacuated from the
thigh during fasciotomy. He was discharged from the hospital 9 days later and
resumed his kickboxing career within 1 year.
Malek et al. reported the case of a kickboxer that suffered traumatic dissection
of his left vertebral artery. [31] While sparring with full protective gear, the kickboxer
received a kick to his left jaw. He subsequently developed stroke-like symptoms
to include dysarthric speech, a sluggish pupillary response to light, left sixth
cranial nerve palsy, and a left facial droop. Computed tomography of the head
revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and blood in the fourth ventricle.
Cerebral angiography exposed an intracranial fusiform pseudoaneurysm of the left
vertebral artery. The pseudoaneurysm was treated endovascularly, the kickboxer
underwent rehabilitation, and his deficits resolved within 3 months of the injury.
Echaniz-Laguna et al. reported another case of dissection due to a kick, although this
episode involved the internal carotid artery. [32]
One case report discussed an isolated first rib fracture sustained by an individual
during a kickboxing match. [33] The kickboxer presented with stabbing pain in the
right shoulder area, which began during his match. Despite normal initial radiographs,
pain persisted beyond 4 weeks. Four weeks after the match, follow-up
imaging studies confirmed the above diagnosis. Although his symptoms finally
resolved after 6 months, the authors noted that serious sequelae of this condition
include pneumothorax, aortic arch aneurysm, tracheoesophageal fistula, brachial
plexopathy, subclavian artery rupture, and periclavicular abscess formation. [33]
In another case report, a kickboxer ruptured his left extensor pollicis longus
(EPL) tendon. [34] He incurred the injury by performing reverse press-ups as a part
of his kickboxing training regimen. This exercise stressed the dorsum of the hands
and involved wrist hyperflexion. The ruptured EPL was irreparable, but an extensor
indicis proprius transfer resulted in full restoration of finger motion by 8 weeks
postoperation.
Davis and colleagues surveyed participants in kickboxing exercise classes. [35] Of
572 surveys reviewed, the researchers discovered that instructors had a slightly
higher rate of injury as compared to students. A significant relationship existed
between the occurrence of injury and number of days of participation. The most
common sites injured, in descending order, were the back, knees, hips, and shoulders.
About half the injured participants sought medical care. Nearly two thirds of the
injured participants had to change their daily activity routines as a result of injury.
Although this study did not specifically address competitive kickboxing injuries, it
did generalize injury trends for those engaged in the fundamentals of kickboxing