Traumatic brain injury including concussion
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur from direct contact to the head or where the force is transmitted to the head, shaking the brain within the skull. There are a number of potential long-term consequences of TBI, including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) which is a type of degenerative neurological disease.
Sport-related concussion is a TBI which involves temporary neurological impairment. Concussion can lead to long-term health problems, and repeated concussion increases this risk.
It is important to recognise that you do not need to lose consciousness (get KO’d) to have concussion.
All concussions are serious. It is important not to delay treatment if you suspect or have been diagnosed with a concussion. You are required to seek medical advice and treatment.
Education videos
The following short videos have been produced to educate the combat sports sector about TBI, including concussion and the risks. You are encouraged to familarise yourself with the facts.
Concussion management education for boxing and combat sports contestants in Victoria
All professional boxing and combat sports contestants in Victoria should understand the risks of concussion and appropriate management of this injury. It is expected that you will seek medical advice and follow the return to fight strategy that applies in Victoria.
PROFESSOR TISSA WIJERATNE:
Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in a force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities.
You do not need to lose consciousness or get knocked-out to have concussion.
Exposure to repetitive head impacts over time, especially while still suffering from concussion, can lead to long-term, irreversible damage.That is why it is important to know the symptoms.
Get medical and treatment and follow the return-to-fight strategy.
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): I always thought to have a concussion you have to be KO’d. But that wasn’t what it was like for me.
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): I’m fine!
ANDREW (FIGHTER 2): Mate, I think you’re done.
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): I said I’m fine.
ANDREW (FIGHTER 2) Don’t be stupid. Just get yourself checked out.
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): Well, that was good advice because the next few days, things just didn’t feel right.
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): Concussions are serious. Ignoring your symptoms may make your symptoms worse.
So when the doctor said I had to follow a return to fight strategy,
I was frustrated at first, but I was making good progress so I knew it was the best thing to do long term.
ANDREW (FIGHTER 2) Coming in?
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): No.
ANDREW (FIGHTER 2) Hey, you’re back?
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): Yeah, all clear from the doc, so yeah, keep it light, yeah. (caption error: check the light, yeah)
PHIL (FIGHTER 1): Got a concussion? Don’t ignore it.
Get medical advice, follow the return to fight strategy so you can have a long career.
Concussion management education for boxing and combat sports referees in Victoria
All professional boxing and combat sports licensed referees in Victoria should understand the risks of concussion, their duty of care to contestants and how to decide what signals indicates the need for a medical exam or to stop a contest.
PROFESSOR TISSA WIJERATNE:
Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in a force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities.
You do not need to lose consciousness or get knocked-out to have concussion.
Exposure to repetitive head impacts over time, especially while still suffering from concussion, can lead to long-term, irreversible damage.
That is why it is important to know the symptoms.
Get medical and treatment and follow the return-to-fight strategy.
RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN
As a referee, you’re in the thick of it. Work with me, the ringside doctor, to decide what signal indicates the need for a medical exam.
A concussion left untreated can cause lasting health problems for a fighter
Multiple concussions mean higher risk of long-term problems.
RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN CONTINUED
During the fight, the referee is closest to the action and is constantly looking for signs that fighters can defend themselves and fight back.
The referee checks the fighter’s balance.
As first responders, either one of us can stop the fight. We see the signs if fighters are unable to fight back or defend themselves.
RINGSIDE PHYSICIAN CONTINUED
Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities.
Signs can be subtle, and you are in the best position to know when to stop it.
It’s always better to stop a fight a second early rather than a second too late.
Stopping the fight at the right time can prevent a fighter from suffering a more severe concussion, or even multiple concussions, which can have serious long-term consequences.
Concussion management education for boxing and combat sports trainers in Victoria
All professional boxing and combat sports licensed trainers in Victoria should understand the risks of concussion, their duty of care to contestants and how to support contestants to manage concussion and get medical advice and follow the return to fight strategy that applies in Victoria.
PROFESSOR TISSA WIJERATNE:
Sport-related concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in a force being transmitted to the brain that occurs in sports and exercise-related activities.
You do not need to lose consciousness or get knocked-out to have concussion.
Exposure to repetitive head impacts over time, especially while still suffering from concussion, can lead to long-term, irreversible damage.
That is why it is important to know the symptoms.
Get medical and treatment and follow the return-to-fight strategy.
TRAINER:
Concussions can happen in training, not just in competitions so I have to keep a watchful eye.
I have to look out for excessive head trauma.
‘Back up! Back up!’
TRAINER CONTINUED:
Training is about learning, not about winning.
If you think your fighter has a concussion, don’t delay taking action.
DOCTOR
You’re going to have to follow a care plan over the next few weeks. It’s called a return-to-fight strategy to make sure your brain is given time to recover while you build up to come back strong (slightly muffled for effect)
TRAINER:
‘Stretch it out, stretch it out’.
‘Get moving, get moving, let’s go’.
‘Check those, come on’.
TRAINER CONTINUED:
As a fight trainer, I have to promote and protect the health and wellbeing of my fighters.
Concussions are serious and can’t be ignored.
JEN (FIGHTER):
Do we have to do this? I feel fine.
TRAINER:
Sorry, kiddo.
TRAINER CONTINUED:
Trust me. If we stick to the strategy and build you back up over the next month, you will come back strong. If we don’t do it this way now so you might take a break for the rest of your life.
TRAINER CONTINUED:
All clear? Let’s get to work then!
TRAINER CONTINUED:
Does your fighter have a concussion? Support them to follow medical advice and the return to fight strategy.
Signs and symptoms
The signs of concussion vary and may be difficult to detect. For example, individuals may:
- Seem normal apart from appearing vacant, dazed or stunned.
- Be unable to recall who the opponent is, where they are or what day it is.
- Ask about what happened - amnesia is common.
- Have difficulty concentrating and answering specific questions.
Loss of consciousness, seizure or balance difficulties are clear signs of a significant injury. Urgent medical support is critical in these circumstances.
Symptoms of concussion can be very subtle and may present as nothing more than individuals reporting that they do not ‘feel right’. Patients often report these symptoms:
- Visual disturbance.
- Feeling ‘foggy’, lethargic or slow.
- Having sensitivity to light or noise.
- Feeling dizzy or nauseous.
- Headache.
Potential complications from concussion include:
- Severe brain swelling.
- Increased risk of further concussions or other musculoskeletal injury.
- Prolonged symptoms.
- Psychological problems including symptoms of depression or anxiety.
- Long term damage to brain function.
Concussion management
Concussed contestants must:
- Not drink alcohol while symptoms persist, particularly not after a contest.
- Get as much rest as possible and avoid demanding activities or those that need a lot of thinking or concentration while symptoms persist.
- Not return to sparring until granted medical clearance
- Immediately attend a hospital emergency department if experiencing the following symptoms:
- Repeated vomiting.
- Increasing and persistent headache.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Inability to stay awake during times when usually awake.
- Confusion.
- Restlessness.
- Agitation.
- Convulsions.
- Seizures.
- Difficulty walking.
- Difficulty balancing.
- Weakness or numbness.
- Blurring or difficulty with vision.
- Slurred speech.
- See a health care professional who has experience in treating brain injuries if symptoms persist for more than 10 days.
- Observe concussion management guidelinesprescribed by a health care professional who has experience in treating brain injuries.
Download the Board’s concussion handout CONCUSSION-handout.docx (DOCX 1404.23 KB) 
Page last updated: 16 September 2024