Amateur Boxing and Dementia: Cognitive Impairment Within the 35-Year Caerphilly Cohort Study

Gallacher, John, Pickering, Janet, Bayer, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7514-248X, Heslop, Luke, Morgan, Gareth, Watkins, Angela ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1212-513X, Martin, Rhodri and Elwood, Peter 2022. Amateur Boxing and Dementia: Cognitive Impairment Within the 35-Year Caerphilly Cohort Study. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 32 (3) , pp. 329-333. 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000976

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Abstract

Objective: To examine the long-term effects of amateur boxing in a representative population sample of men. Design: The sample was examined every 5 years for 35 years. Cognition was assessed repeatedly from the third examination. Previous boxing experience and dementia were assessed at the fifth examination, and dementia assessed subsequently through medical records. Setting and Assessment of Rick Factors: The Caerphilly Prospective Study investigates risk factors for a range of chronic diseases of diseases. These include life style and behavior, together with biological factors relevant to vascular disease. Participants: 1123 adult men aged 45 to 59 years at baseline, followed for 35 years. Main Outcome Measures: Cognitive impairment. Results: A report by a subject of having boxed “seriously” when younger was associated with a 2-fold increase in cognitive impairment [odds ratio (OR) = 2.27; 95% confidence intervals = 1.18-4.38]. For amnestic (Alzheimer-like) impairment, this rises to OR = 2.78 (95% confidence limits 1.37–5.65). Having boxed is associated with an “advancement” in the onset of the dementia (4.8 years; 95% confidence limits 0.9-8.8 years). Conclusions: Amateur boxing is associated with an increased risk and an earlier onset of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:	1050-642X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 December 2021
Date of Acceptance:	22 July 2021
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2023 01:13
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/145825

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