Evidence-based education relating to combat sports
Injuries happen in all walks of life, particularly for athletes. An important concept to understand is how your body recovers and the phases of tissue healing. Phase 1: Inflammatory (Day 0-6): Following the injury your body will start the process to repair the damaged tissue. This results in an altered chemical state as your body …
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that result from acceleration of the head that creates shearing forces on the brain. While an obvious sign of a concussion is being knocked unconscious one does not have to get KOed or hit in the head for a concussion to occur; indirect blows to other areas in the …
The oblique kick and low side kick are two particularly damaging strikes that are used frequently in combat sports. What makes these strike so effective? Both are effective at damaging the ligaments in the knee. The goal of the oblique kick is to hyperextend the knee which can damage multiple knee ligaments. A typical knee …
A kneebar works primarily by causing hyperextension of the knee (tibiofemoral joint). The average person will have around 5-10 degrees of extension and any more motion will challenge the soft tissue and ligamentous structures. Secondary mechanism of injury from a kneebar is posterior translation of the tibia on the femur. Structures that limit hyperextension: Ligaments: …
The armbar, arguably the most iconic technique in grappling, is a submission that involves hyperextension of the elbow joint (humeroulnar joint). While there are two other joints around the elbow region: 1. humeroradial 2. radioulnar joint After years of grappling many martial artists may lose a bit of range, but the average person should have …
In combat sports, fighters often focus on aiming for the head to finish the fight. One effective alternative, however, is targeting the liver. The liver is an organ that sits in the right abdominal cavity, immediately behind the lowest ribs. While the ribcage does a good job of protecting many vital organs, the liver remains …