American Academy of Family Physicians Opposes Sport of Boxing

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that physicians discourage their patients from participating in the sport of boxing. Participation in contact sports such as boxing carries a risk of concussion, the most common head injury in sports.

Concussion in an athlete may go untreated because few symptoms are visible to casual observers. Some of the symptoms of a concussion include headache, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and imbalance.

An athlete may also experience emotional pressure to resume participation in the sport. This pressure can come from spectators, coaches and the sports media, as well as the athlete’s own desire to take part in the sport. All physicians agree that an athlete suspected of having a concussion should be removed from sports participation immediately, and that the athlete should not return to the sport while signs or symptoms of concussion are present at rest or with exercise.

Once a concussion has occurred, the athlete becomes as much as four to six times more likely to sustain a second concussion. The sport of boxing poses a high risk of concussions and severe head injuries. The AAFP discourages athletes from participating in this risky sport.