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Long-Term Cognitive Decline in MMA Fighters: A Two-Year Cohort Study on Executive Function Impairments Due to
Michele Andrade de Brito1,2, José Raimundo Fernandes2,3, Keveenrick Ferreira Costa2
1Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, Brazil.
Background:
This study examines the long-term cognitive consequences of repetitive head impact on executive functions in mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters over two years.
Methods:
Neuropsychological tests assessed executive functions in two groups: competitive (CG; n = 26) and recreational groups (RG; n = 26).
Results:
A significant interaction between time and group was observed. The CG experienced greater declines in Mental Processing Speed (MPS) after 1 year [4.6 s (3.1; 6.1); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [14.6 s (5.1; 24.0); p = 0.003]. Inhibitory control (IC) also declined after 1 year [4.7 a.u. (3.0; 6.2); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [10.0 a.u. (11.6; 11.4); p ≤ 0.001]. Cognitive flexibility (CF) showed a pronounced reduction after 1 year [4.8 a.u. (3.0; 6.7); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [7.5 a.u. (5.9; 9.1); p ≤ 0.001]. Automatic (AP) and controlled processes (CP), as well as direct (DM) and indirect memory (IM), also showed significant impairments in CG.
Conclusions:
These findings highlight the detrimental effects of MMA competitions on cognitive function, emphasizing the need for monitoring and interventions to preserve fighters' health and performance.
