Life Expectancy of White and Non-White Elite Heavyweight Boxers.

BACKGROUND: In post-industrial countries, ethnic minorities suffer poorer health and premature deaths. The present study examined ethnic differences in life expectancy and related features among elite heavyweight boxers. METHODS: Dates of birth and death, anthropometry, and championship years were gathered from media archives for champions and challengers (never been a champion) between years 1889 and 2019. Cox regression adjusted for age at contest, nationality, BMI, champion/challenger status, and number of contests was used to assess survival. RESULTS: All 237 boxers, 83 champions (37.3% whites) and 154 challengers (61.0% whites), who contested for heavyweight championships were identified. By 2019, 110 (75 whites, 34 non-whites) were known to have died. Non-white boxers died at an earlier age than whites boxers (mean ± SD = 59.8 ± 14.2 years versus 67.3 ± 16.4 years, p = 0.018) and had shorter survival: HR = 2.13 (95% CI = 1.4-3.3). Among non-white boxers, deaths were higher from neurological disorders: OR = 8.2 (95% CI = 1.3-13.5) and accidents: OR = 15.1 (95% CI = 2.3-98.2), while death from natural causes was lower: OR = 0.2 (95% CI = 0.03-0.8). After boxing careers, fewer non-white boxers had non-manual jobs (34.4% versus 71.8%) than manual (34.4% versus 19.7%) or were unemployed (28.1% versus 2.8%). Reported substance abuse was similar across ethnicity (8.0% versus 8.8%) but conviction rates were higher among non-white boxers (17.6%) than white (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with white boxers, non-white boxers tend to die younger with excess neurological and accidental deaths, and they have lower social positions in later life. Sporting authorities should reappraise the wisdom of permitting head injuries in sport and monitor and support the health and wellbeing of sports men and women after retirement.

The effects of rapid weight loss and 3-h recovery on energy expenditure, carbohydrate, and fat oxidation in boxing athletes.

BACKGROUND: Boxers need to consider energy metabolism during rapid weight loss (RWL) followed by rapid weight regain. We examined the effects of RWL and a 3-h acute weight recovery on energy expenditure, carbohydrate oxidation, and fat oxidation in boxing athletes. METHODS: The analysis was based on the data of seven healthy young male athletes who underwent rapid weight loss followed by acute weight recovery. Energy expenditure was evaluated at three time points: one week prior to the acute weight loss (baseline); after the 1-week weight loss period; after a 3-h acute weight recovery period. This three-component model was used to estimate body composition. Sleeping metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) were measured in an indirect calorimetry room over a 17-h period. After an overnight fast, a prescribed meal was provided and the DIT was measured over a 3-h period. This was followed by a three-step treadmill running protocol. RESULTS: Weight loss produced a significant decrease in fat mass, fat free mass, and body mass, with recovery of body mass within 3 h (1.7±0.3 kg). Postprandial carbohydrate oxidation was significantly lower during the recovery period than at baseline, while fat oxidation was higher, although there was no change in the DIT. CONCLUSIONS: RWL, followed by a short-term of acute weight recovery, produces an increase in fat oxidation and a decrease in carbohydrate oxidation, with the increase in fat oxidation being maintained through an overnight sleep period, as well as in the postprandial and exercise periods.

Advanced magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment for detecting brain injury in a prospective cohort of university amateur boxers.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The safety of amateur and professional boxing is a contentious issue. We hypothesised that advanced magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing could provide evidence of acute and early brain injury in amateur boxers. METHODS: We recruited 30 participants from a university amateur boxing club in a prospective cohort study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing was performed at three time points: prior to starting training; within 48 h following a first major competition to detect acute brain injury; and one year follow-up. A single MRI acquisition was made from control participants. Imaging analysis included cortical thickness measurements with Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTS) and FreeSurfer, voxel based morphometry (VBM), and Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS). A computerized battery of neuropsychological tests was performed assessing attention, learning, memory and impulsivity. RESULTS: During the study period, one boxer developed seizures controlled with medication while another developed a chronic subdural hematoma requiring neurosurgical drainage. A total of 10 boxers contributed data at to the longitudinal assessment protocol. Reasons for withdrawal were: logistics (10), stopping boxing (7), withdrawal of consent (2), and development of a chronic subdural hematoma (1). No significant changes were detected using VBM, TBSS, cortical thickness measured with FreeSurfer or ANTS, either cross-sectionally at baseline, or longitudinally. Neuropsychological assessment of boxers found attention/concentration improved over time while planning and problem solving ability latency decreased after a bout but recovered after one year. CONCLUSION: While this neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment protocol could not detect any evidence of brain injury, one boxer developed seizures and another developed a chronic sub-dural haematoma.

Fluid balance and hydration assessment during the weight-stable preparation phase in elite youth boxers.

This study investigated (i) the prevalence of hypohydration and (ii) association between urinary indices of hydration status and confounding factors (e.g., urine protein content, water intake) in elite youth boxers during their weight-stable phase before competition. Sixteen national champion boxers (all male, 17 ± 1 y) were measured on 3 occasions (baseline, day 3, day 10), 30-day prior to competition. Body mass, total body water, urine specific gravity (USG), osmolality (UOSM) and total protein content (TPC) were evaluated to determine hydration status and fluid balance. Overall macronutrient and water intake were assessed using dietary records. Both UOSM and USG increased from day 3 to day 10 by 16% and 0.4% (P < 0.001), despite athletes being in their weight-stability period, and regardless of ad libitum fluid intake. Hypohydration was universally prevalent among all athletes on both test days with USG: 1.027 ± 0.003 g · mL-1 and UOSM: 1035 ± 108 mOsmol · kg-1. An inverse association between mean UOSM values and mean water intake was observed (R = -0.52, P = 0.04), while TPC was not associated with any urinary dehydration markers (USG, P = 0.51; UOSM, P = 0.61). The present outcomes find that the most prevalent urinary dehydration markers used to classify hydration status in competition exhibit large variability, even during weight-stable periods.

Hydration status assessment among elite youth amateur boxers.

BACKGROUND: Weight cutting is a common practice in amateur boxing with the purpose of taking advantage of rivals competing in weight divisions below the athlete's normal weight. Dehydration is a common weight-manipulating technique in boxing, and is known as a serious health-threatening behavior. In this study, we investigated field hydration status differences between the weight class categories in elite junior boxers. METHODS: The sample of subjects included 21 male junior boxers from Croatia, Germany and Hungary (all national team members). The field assessment was conducted prior to competition. Subjects were divided into three weight class categories: Lightweight (Lw), Middleweight (Mw), and Heavyweight (Hw). The sample variables included urine specific gravity (USG) measured via a refractometer and total body fluid content (BFC) measured via Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA). Data were collected on two occasions, i.e. at national team competitions that took place in preparation for the World Junior Championships. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between Lw 1.027±0.004 and Hw 1.019±0.005 (F=8.81, P<0.001) and Mw 1.028±0.003 and Hw (F=7.16, P<0.01) in USG. BIA findings showed conflicting results in relation to the USG findings. The results show a significant difference between Lw 67.84% BFC and Hw 65.14% BFC (P<0.01). These conflicting results, the lack of correlation between the two methods and the discrepancy in the Bland-Altman plot indicate that techniques for non-invasive field assessments of hydration have certain limitations. It seems that refractometry is more sensitive and accurate diagnostic tool to detect body fluid shifts then BIA when applied on athletes involved in chronical weight cycling protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Nevertheless, our data suggest that Lw and Mw class athletes seem to be more prone in reaching consequent dehydration state that literature frequently cites as hypohydration.

Neurological assessment and its relationship to CSF biomarkers in amateur boxers.

BACKGROUND: Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion is common in many sports. Today, neuropsychological evaluation is recommended in the monitoring of a concussion and in return-to-play considerations. To investigate the sensitivity of neuropsychological assessment, we tested amateur boxers post bout and compared with controls. Further the relationship between neuropsychological test results and brain injury biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were investigated. METHOD: Thirty amateur boxers on high elite level with a minimum of 45 bouts and 25 non-boxing matched controls were included. Memory tests (Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure, Listening Span, Digit Span, Controlled Word Association Test, and computerized testing of episodic memory), tests of processing speed and executive functions (Trail Making, Reaction Time, and Finger Tapping) were performed and related to previously published CSF biomarker results for the axonal injury marker neurofilament light (NFL). RESULTS: The neurological assessment showed no significant differences between boxers and controls, although elevated CSF NFL, as a sign of axonal injury, was detected in about 80% of the boxers 1-6 days post bout. The investigation of the relationship between neuropsychological evaluation and CSF NFL concentrations revealed that boxers with persisting NFL concentration elevation after at least 14 days resting time post bout, had a significantly poorer performance on Trail Making A (p = 0.041) and Simple Reaction Time (p = 0.042) compared to other boxers. CONCLUSION: This is the first study showing traumatic axonal brain injury can be present without measureable cognitive impairment. The repetitive, subconcussive head trauma in amateur boxing causes axonal injury that can be detected with analysis of CSF NFL, but is not sufficient to produce impairment in memory tests, tests of processing speed, or executive functions. The association of prolonged CSF NFL increase in boxers with impairment of processing speed is an interesting observation, which needs to be verified in larger studies.

Mediating factors in martial arts and combat sports: an analysis of the type of martial art, characteristics, and social background of young participants.

To date, most studies regarding the social-psychological effects of martial arts and combat sports (MA&CS) on young people focus on measuring effects without considering mediating factors. The aim of the present study was to analyze three mediating factors that might be influential when examining outcomes of MA&CS for youth (i.e., the type of MA&CS, participants' characteristics, and social background). Young MA&CS participants (N = 477, M age = 14.0 yr., SD = 2.13) practicing judo, aikido, kick-/Thai boxing or karate, as well as their parents (N = 307), were assessed in terms of their goal orientations, aggressiveness, psychosocial behavior, and social background. It was concluded that differences exist in the characteristics and social background of participants depending on the type of MA&CS being practiced. The fact that differences in these mediating factors can be identified indicates that in future research these and possible other mediating factors should be considered when trying to determine social-psychological outcomes of MA&CS.

Physiologic responses and energy expenditure of kinect active video game play in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physiologic responses and energy expenditure of active video gaming using Kinect for the Xbox 360. DESIGN: Comparison study. SETTING: Kirkby Sports College Centre for Learning, Liverpool, England. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen schoolchildren (10 boys and 8 girls) aged 11 to 15 years. MAIN EXPOSURE: A comparison of a traditional sedentary video game and 2 Kinect activity-promoting video games, Dance Central and Kinect Sports Boxing, each played for 15 minutes. Physiologic responses and energy expenditure were measured using a metabolic analyzer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure. RESULTS: Heart rate, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure were considerably higher (P < .05) during activity-promoting video game play compared with rest and sedentary video game play. The mean (SD) corresponding oxygen uptake values for the sedentary, dance, and boxing video games were 6.1 (1.3), 12.8 (3.3), and 17.7 (5.1) mL · min-1 · kg-1, respectively. Energy expenditures were 1.5 (0.3), 3.0 (1.0), and 4.4 (1.6) kcal · min-1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dance Central and Kinect Sports Boxing increased energy expenditure by 150% and 263%, respectively, above resting values and were 103% and 194% higher than traditional video gaming. This equates to an increased energy expenditure of up to 172 kcal · h-1 compared with traditional sedentary video game play. Played regularly, active gaming using Kinect for the Xbox 360 could prove to be an effective means for increasing physical activity and energy expenditure in children.

[Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in doping and non-doping athletes]. / A szénhidrátszegény transzferrin értékének változásai doppingoló és nem doppingoló sportolóknál.

UNLABELLED: The determination of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) concentration is primarily used in social security studies as a proof of regular alcohol consumption exceeding the amount of 60 grams per day. AIMS: The present study was performed to investigate into how carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT values in serum are affected by the so-called food supplements and chemicals included in doping lists. METHODS: The investigation was carried out in 15 bodybuilders of two sport clubs and in 10 boxers. All sportsmen were males. In both groups serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT%), median red blood cell volume and (MCV) gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) values were measured. RESULTS: The authors found a significant difference between the two groups only in carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT% that was the CDT% value in bodybuilders was twice as high as in boxers. CONCLUSION: Not all the details of the specificity of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) concentration are known, however, the remarkably high sensitivity of the method makes it suitable and probably economically effective as a pre-screening tool in doping tests.

"Now the African reigns supreme": the rise of African boxing on the Witwatersrand, 1924-1959.

This essay explores the growth of boxing among the African populations on the Witwatersrand region of South Africa between 1924 and 1959. It details how the sport's jump in popularity with Africans paralleled migration to Johannesburg. Africans increasingly saw boxing as an activity and skill conducive with survival in this new environment, and thus the sport grew in popularity, stature, and skill-level amongst this emergent urban population. The essay further explores the various ways that the sport was disseminated and popularized during the era, thus detailing how the sport reached both the African masses and petit-bourgeois educated elite. As their presence in Johannesburg became more and more permanent, boxing came to encompass various meanings and ideals, such as notions of discipline, independence and civility, to these urban populations.

[Sensorineural hearing loss after dull head injury or concussion trauma]. / Innenohrschwerhörigkeit nach stumpfem Schädelhirntrauma bzw. Kopfanpralltrauma.

A dull head injury can lead to isolated damage of the inner ear (cochlear labyrinthine concussion) or damage of the otolithe organ (vestibular labyrinthine concussion) due to a bone conduction pressure . A typical sign is a high frequency SNHL in form of a c5-dip. The c5-dip can be bilateral or unilateral or different on each side - dependant on the side of injury. In case of a unilateral skull base fracture a contralateral labyrinthine concussion is also possible. Moreover a lot of cases also show an accompanying tinnitus. This knowledge is based on animal and human experiments, as well as data from clinical and medical report examinations over decades. It is important to differentiate between a SNHL caused by accident or uni- or bilateral endogenic degenerative hearing loss.

Only lower limb controlled interactive computer gaming enables an effective increase in energy expenditure.

Limited research documents if new and existing interactive computer gaming "exergaming" increase energy expenditure and cardio-respiratory costs comparable to common exercise modalities. To address this, healthy male volunteers (n = 15) completed six by 12-min test elements: PlayStation2 (PS2(hand)), Nintendo Wii boxing, walk at 5.6 km h(-1), cycle at 120 W, playing an adapted lower limb controlled PS2 (PS2(limb)) and run at 9.6 km h(-1). In addition, they played PS2(limb) for 30 min and performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests, P < 0.05 inferred significance. PS2(limb) increased energy expenditure (EE) and post-exercise blood lactate (BLa) significantly higher (P < 0.001) than PS2(hand), Wii gaming or walking at 5.6 km h(-1) (EE: 30.3 ± 4.9 vs. 4.7 ± 1.1, 22.0 ± 6.1 and 17.9 ± 1.9 kJ h(-1) kg(-1); BLa: 2.4 ± 1.5 vs. 1.0 ± 0.3, 1.8 ± 0.8 and 0.9 ± 0.2 mmol L(-1)), playing the PS2(limb) raised mean EE over six times greater than PS2(hand). Mean fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates during the 9- to 12-min period playing the PS2(limb) were five and ten times greater than PS2(hand) (0.25 ± 0.10 vs. 0.05 ± 0.10, 1.69 ± 0.52 vs. 0.15 ± 0.14 g min(-1), respectively). PS2(limb) met ACSM guidelines for cardiovascular fitness; however, current Wii technology failed. In conclusion, gaming interactive technology must be adapted or designed to include the lower limbs in order to provide a significant exercise stimulus.

White Anglo-Saxon hopes and black Americans' Atlantic dreams: Jack Johnson and the British boxing colour bar.

This article examines the controversy surrounding Jack Johnson's proposed world heavyweight title fight against the British champion Bombardier Billy Wells in London (1911). In juxtaposing African Americans' often glowing discussions of European tolerance with the actual white resistance the black champion faced in Britain, including the Home Office's eventual prohibition of the match, the article explores the period's transnational discourses of race and citizenship. Indeed, as white sportsmen on both sides of the Atlantic joined together in their search for a "White Hope" to unseat Johnson, the boxing ring became an important cultural arena for interracial debates over the political and social divisions between white citizens and nonwhite subjects. Although African Americans had high hopes for their hero's European sojourn, the British backlash against the Johnson-Wells match underscored the fact that their local experiences of racial oppression were just one facet of a much broader global problem. At the same time, the proposed prizefight also made the specter of interracial conflict in the colonies all the more tangible in the British capital, provoking public discussions about the merits of U.S. racial segregation, along with the need for white Anglo-Saxon solidarity around the world. Thus, this article not only exposes the underlying connections between American Jim Crow and the racialized fault lines of British imperialism, but it also traces the "tense and tender ties" linking U.S. and African American history with the new imperial history and postcolonial studies.

Perfil nutricional de boxeadores olímpicos e avaliação do impacto da intervenção nutricional no ajuste de peso para as categorias de lutas / Perfil nutricional de boxeadores olímpicos y evaluación del impacto de la intervención nutricional en el ajuste del peso en las categorías del boxeo / Nutritional profile of olympic boxers and evaluation of the impact of nutritional intervention in weight adjustment to boxing categories

Os esportes de luta são geralmente divididos por categorias definidas por faixas de peso, e este passa a ser uma preocupação constante entre atletas, que muitas vezes manipulam suas composições corporais, utilizando-se de estratégias inseguras principalmente para reduzir o peso corporal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto da intervenção nutricional no ajuste de peso para cada categoria do Boxe Olímpico. A amostra foi composta por 10 atletas da Seleção Brasileira de Boxe no período de janeiro de 2007 a fevereiro de 2008. Foram investigadas as estratégias utilizadas para redução de peso corporal e o perfil antropométrico. Cada atleta recebeu um planejamento alimentar individualizado. 100 por cento dos atletas responderam que utilizavam estratégias para alteração do peso. As principais eram: uso de roupas e adereços que aumentam a produção de suor, restrição de líquidos, jejum e semijejum. Inicialmente os atletas apresentavam-se em média 5,8 kg acima do peso da categoria. Após três meses da intervenção nutricional essa média caiu para 4,4kg e em 6 meses para 2,8 kg. A redução média do percentual de gordura foi de 6,3 por cento, mostrando um impacto positivo da intervenção nutricional. Em virtude dos efeitos maléficos que os procedimentos de perda rápida depeso exercem sobre a saúde e desempenho, é de suma importância o conhecimento do perfil antropométrico do atleta, evitando que estes lutemem categorias de peso cujos limites não correspondem ao de suas características antropométricas. Palavras-chave: Antropometria. Planejamento Alimentar. Boxe.

Fighting sports are generally divided into categories defined by weight bands, and this is a constant concern for athletes, who many times manipulate their body by using unsafe strategies mainly to reduce body weight. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impactof nutritional intervention in weight adjustment for each category of Olympic Box. The sample was composed by 10 athletes from the Brazilian Boxing Team in the period from January 2007 to February 2008. The strategies used for weight reduction and the anthropometric profile were investigated. Each athlete received a customized alimentary planning. All athletes answered that they used strategies for altering their weight. The main ones were: the use of clothes and gadgets that increase sweat production, liquid ingestion restrictions, fast and semi-fast. At the beginning, athletes presented an average 5,8 kg above the weight of the category they were in. After three months of nutritional intervention this average fell to 4,4 kg and in 6 months to 2,8 kg. The average reduction of fat percentage was 6,3 per cent, showing a positive impact of the used nutritional intervention. Due to the damages produced by fast weight loss procedures on health and performance, it is extremely important toknow the anthropometric profile of athletes, preventing them to fight in categories not compatible anthropometric characteristics. Keywords: Anthropometry. Food Planning. Boxing.

Los deportes de lucha se dividen generalmente en categorías definidas por peso, y esto es una preocupación constante para los atletas, que muchas veces manipulan su cuerpo usando estrategias inseguras principalmente para reducir el peso corporal. Este trabajo intentó evaluar el impacto de la intervención nutricional en el ajuste del peso para cada categoría de boxeo olímpico. La muestra fue compuesta por 10 atletas del equipo brasileño del boxeo en el período enero 2007 - febrero 2008. Se investigaran las estrategias usadas para la perdida de peso y el perfil antropométrico. Cada atleta recibió un planeamiento nutricional modificado para sus requisitos particulares. Todos los atletas contestaron que utilizaron estrategias para alterar su peso. Las principales eran: el uso de ropa y artefactos que aumentan la producción del sudor, restricciones a la ingestión de líquidos, ayuno y semiayuno. Al principio, los atletas presentaron una media de 5,8 kilogramos además del peso de la categoría en la que estaban. Después de tres meses de intervención nutricional la media bajó a 4,4 kilogramos y en 6 meses a 2,8 kilogramos. La reducciónmedia del porcentaje de peso adicional fue el 6,3 por ciento, demostrando un impacto positivo de la intervención nutricional utilizada. Debido a los dañosproducidos por procedimientos rápidos de la pérdida de peso sobre la salud y la capacidad de lucha, es extremadamente importante conocer el perfil antropométrico de los atletas, previniéndolos para luchar solamente respetando las características antropométricas compatibles de suscategorías. Palabras llave: Antropometría. Planificación Alimentaria. Boxeo.

Female boxers have high bone mineral density despite low body fat mass, high energy expenditure, and a high incidence of oligomenorrhea.

Low body fat mass and menstrual irregularities have been associated with low bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this study was to compare the relation between BMD, lean body mass, fat mass, physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and menstrual status in female boxers and in physically active females with low (C1) or average (C2) fat mass. Boxers (n = 11) and controls (C1, n = 16; C2, n = 17), aged 18-38 years, were assessed for BMD and body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Menstrual status and PAEE were determined from questionnaires. There was no difference in anthropometric measurements between boxers and C1 subjects, except that boxers had higher arm lean mass. However, both boxers and C1 subjects had a lower percentage of fat (p < 0.001) than C2 subjects (boxers, 14.6% +/- 2.0; C1, 15.5% +/- 4.2; C2, 25.8% +/- 3.4%), and boxers had a higher (p = 0.002) lean body mass index (lean body mass/height2, where lean body mass is measured in kilograms and height is measured in metres) than C2 subjects. The PAEE of boxers was higher (p < 0.007) than that of controls (boxers, 5748 +/- 2284 ; C1, 2966 +/- 2258 ; C2, 2714 +/- 1722 kcal.week-1). Oligomenorrhea was more common in boxers than in C1 and C2 subjects (boxers, 54.6%; C1, 18.8%; C2, 35.3%). Arm, leg, and spine BMD were higher (p < 0.008) in boxers than in C1 subjects, and arm BMD was higher in boxers than in C2 subjects. BMD Z scores were also higher (p < 0.05) in boxers (boxers, 1.1+/- 0.8, C1, 0.1 +/- 0.7; C2: 0.3 +/- 1.1). High BMD in boxers, despite low fat mass, high PAEE, and an increased incidence of oligomenorrhea suggest that boxing has a positive effect on BMD.

[Boxer's fracture: Cost evaluation orthopaedic or surgical treatment]. / Evaluation du coûit des fractures du col du cinquième métacarpien traitement orthopédique et chirurgical.

UNLABELLED: Many methods of treatment have been proposed for fractures of the neck of the fifth metacarpal ranging from early mobilization to various surgical techniques. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the functional results and the costs of closed as opposed to open treatment (Foucher's K-Wire technique). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on all fractures without rotational deformity and with a palmar angulation less than 40 degrees C. Details of the patients, the fractures, functional results and the cost of management were analyzed. RESULTS: The functional results were similar between the two groups, but surgical treatment increased the cost of treatment to 1100 euros. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate the use of closed treatment for these fractures. The functional results are the same as with surgical management, but the costs are much reduced.

Assessment of metabolic cerebral damage using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in mild traumatic brain injury.

AIM: We want to appraise, through proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H1-MRI), the NAA's values and it's changing in cerebral tissue in consequence of cranial trauma. METHODS: Six patients with TBI undergo to H1-MRI to asses the changes occurring briefly after trauma in the spectrum's composition. RESULTS: As far as the first two cases we founded a lowering of the NAA's values. In the other four cases the NAA values were normal in all but one, which slightly brought the values of the NAA/Cr and NAA/Cho lower in comparison to the standard values. CONCLUSIONS: Existing a correlation between NAA and ATP it can be drawn that the reduction of NAA is correlated to energetic type damage. Despite the smallness of data, it remains really important that we should have a tool to monitor the cerebral metabolic picture after a mild trauma.

Energy expenditure in women boxing.

OBJECTIVES: Women boxing have got recognition recently and so far no work has been reported on energy expenditure of national women boxers in India. This study was aimed to estimate the energy expenditure in Indian female boxers during sparring. METHODS: A total of 20 female boxers were subjected. Energy expenditure was estimated using the same individual's HR-VO2 regression equation. Heart rate was recorded through radiotelemetry. RESULTS: Results reveal that average and maximum energy expenditure considering the total duration of boxing are 12.7 +/- 1.3 and 14.4 +/- 1.6 kcal/min. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that depending on the severity of energy expenditure female boxing comes under heavy category and as it is a pioneer attempt in India, further studies in this aspect are really required which will guide the coaches regarding the energy expenditure pattern in women boxing.