Neurological, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological examination of 53 former amateur boxers

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Abstract
To reveal possible neurological sequelae of amateur boxing after the introduction of modern medical supervision and safety precautions was studied. Neurological, EEG and neuropsychological examinations were performed in a total of 53 former champion amateur boxers together with a control group consisting of 53 former football players. The football players were, on an average, better educated than the boxers, but otherwise the 2 groups were comparable. Complaints neurological findings and EEG changes were identical in the boxers and control group. Only minor neuropsychological disturbances were found in the boxers, most pronounced in impaired motor function of the left hand. This was further demonstrated by comparing 19 pairs, each consisting of 1 boxer and 1 football player, matched according to age, education and vocabulary. No relation between abnormal findings and occupational exposure during the boxing carreer could be demonstrated, not even by comparing 3 pairs of identical twins, although in each twin of the pairs there was a great difference in the number of fights. This study provides no basis for legislation against amateur boxing at the present time, as it indicates that the existing safety precautions protect the boxers against serious and permanent brain damage.

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