Amateur boxers more likely to suffer early onset dementia

AMATEUR boxers could be at a much higher risk of early onset dementia and cognitive problems in later life, research suggests.

It found men who had boxed “seriously” in their youth were twice as likely to show signs of brain impairment aged 75 and 89.

When they looked at Alzheimer’slike changes, the rate was almost three-fold higher with former boxers.

The onset of dementia symptoms was almost five years earlier in the men who had boxed, compared with those who had not.

Lead author Professor Peter Elwood, of Cardiff University, said: “Professional boxing is known to cause chronic traumatic brain injury but there has been little to no longterm research in amateur boxing.

“Our study provides some of the best available evidence suggesting amateur boxing is associated with clinically measurable long-term brain injury, manifested as earlier onset Alzheimer’s-like impairment.”

Former British champion Audley Harrison, 50, who won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 2000 Olympics, retired from boxing in 2015 after brain injuries.

He also had vision and balance problems. He said: “I’ve suffered a few traumatic brain injuries and will have to work hard to reverse some of the effects taking punches to the head has brought about to my health.”

American professional boxer Sugar Ray Robinson died in 1989 aged 67 after suffering from Alzheimer’s.

The research tracked 1,123 men from South Wales over 35 years with regular checks on their health.

Prof Elwood said safety had been tightened in amateur boxing since the 1950s, with shorter bouts and mandatory headgear, so the chances of serious brain injury had reduced.

He added: “But there is still a long-term impact of boxing. Millions are affected by dementia and the links between this devastating disease and certain contact sports are only now coming to light.

“Further research is vital so we can bring in simple measures to protect the health of generations to come.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK this week launched a detailed review of the link between sport and dementia.

CEO Hilary Evans said: “Sport brings health benefits, which also are good for the brain, but the more we understand about the risks of sport and their contribution towards the risk of dementia, the better.”

The findings were published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.