Perfil cognitivo de atletas de desportos de combate

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigates the cognitive impact of combat sports involving head impacts by comparing professional and amateur athletes who engage in impact combat sports, as well as athletes with a low risk of head impact with these two groups. Previous studies suggest that repeated head impacts may affect certain cognitive abilities,such as memory, processing speed, and executive functions. Methodology: This empirical study included 63 participants, divided into three groups: G1: Professional athletes who practice combat sports with head impact, specifically boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts; G2: Amateur athletes who practice combat sports with head impact, specifically boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts; G3 (Control): Athletes in combat sports with a low risk of head impact, specifically judo, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. Cognitive tests were used to assess participants’ cognitive abilities, including the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (language and verbal memory), Rey Complex Figure Test (visuoconstructive ability), Verbal Fluency Test (executive functions), Digit Span Test (memory), Digit-Symbol Test (processing speed), and ClockDrawing Test (executive functions). Results: The results indicate that professional athletes scored significantly lower in tests of processing speed, verbal learning, and memory compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between professional and amateur athletes in any of the cognitive abilities studied. Conclusions: The study confirms that repeated head impacts in professional athletes havea negative effect on cognitive abilities, specifically in processing speed, verbal learning, and memory. These findings highlight the need for more effective interventions to protectthe cognitive health of combat sports athletes. Future studies with larger samples and longitudinal designs are recommended to further explore these results.

Date of Award	3 Dec 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Maria Abreu (Supervisor) & Inês Ferreira (Co-Supervisor)