Boxers must be extremely fit and have great endurance to last for the full 12 rounds of a boxing match. They often do HIIT workouts that are very intense and can last for 20 minutes or less. These workouts involve short bursts of high-intensity activity followed by a brief recovery period. Boxers may also do strength training to build lower- and upper-body strength. Weightlifting and kickboxing are also common exercises that boxers do to build strength.
Boxing is a high-impact sport that can result in various injuries, including concussions, broken bones, and internal bleeding. Hence, boxers need to be aware of the common injuries associated with boxing and how to prevent them. If boxers don’t take the necessary precautions during this sport, they might get seriously hurt. The most common injuries in boxing are:
Head Injuries
Concussions are a common risk in boxing, both professional and amateur. A concussion is a type of brain injury that can occur when the head is hit by an object, such as a fist or glove. Concussions can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. While concussions are less common in amateur boxing than in professional boxing, they can still happen. To reduce the risk of concussion, always use proper safety gear and follow all safety protocols. If you are ever hit in the head during a match, seek medical attention immediately.
Dental Injuries
Dental injuries are a common risk in any physical contact sport, but they are especially prevalent in boxing. Boxers take punches to the face and jaw regularly, which can lead to dental damage, including broken teeth and facial fractures. Despite the use of mouth guards, these injuries still occur frequently. Falling down hard on the mat can also cause dental damage, so boxers must be aware of the risks and take steps to prevent them.
While boxing, it is almost inevitable for you to get a direct hit to the jaw. If one of these punches is strong enough to knock you back and impact your teeth, it might result in loose or fractured teeth. If this happens, you should visit your local dentist’s office for a dental check-up. This is to ensure you do not have any dental injuries that may have gone unnoticed.
Hand and Wrist Injuries
The repetitive nature of boxing can put a lot of strain on the wrists, particularly the small bones and tendons in the area. Wrist injuries are common in boxers who do not take the time to properly warm up and stretch their muscles before training or fighting. The most common wrist injury in boxing is a stress fracture, which occurs when the tiny bones in the wrist are overloaded and begin to break.
Boxers can do a few things to help prevent hand and wrist injuries. First, they should make sure they are using the proper punching form. Otherwise, it can cause pain or wrist injury, so it is important to maintain a straight wrist when throwing a punch. Secondly, boxers should make sure they fully extend their arms for each hit and wait to make contact until their reach is at the furthest point. This will help reduce the risk of overuse injuries. Finally, boxers should use proper hand wraps and gloves to protect their hands while sparring or fighting.
Rib Injuries
Rib injuries can occur when you take a punch to the ribs. The hit can cause blood vessels to rupture in that same area. Afterward, blood seeps into the surrounding tissues, causing bruising and pain. This would also result in discoloration, forming a bruise. Other, more severe types of rib injuries can also occur during high-impact sports. A fractured rib is a break in one of the bones that make up your ribs. This can happen when you receive a hard hit to the ribs. Fractured ribs can be very painful and may require medical attention.
To prevent rib injuries while boxing, keeping your elbows tight against your body is essential. This will help to protect the front rib cage from a direct blow. Additionally, you should stretch and warm up properly before engaging in any physical activity. This will help to prevent muscle fatigue, which can lead to sloppy defensive positioning and, ultimately, injuries.
Boxing is a high-impact sport that can cause many injuries if proper safety measures are not taken. It’s essential to see a doctor after a serious fall or hit to the head, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Doing so will address any potential issues before they can cause more severe problems in the future.
