Boxing headgear has been an important part of boxing equipment from the beginning. It provides a cushion between a boxer’s face and his opponent’s punches and it also absorbs some of the impacts. The idea behind using a headgear is to provide protection from cuts and bruises around the face.
Headgear also helps in preventing damage to the eyes and nose but unfortunately, it may not protect against concussions or brain injuries.
Does boxing headgear prevent concussions?
Concussions are one of the most significant injuries in boxing. Medical researchers have determined that repeated blows to the head can cause permanent brain damage and significant rates of dementia.
The use of headgear does not prevent concussions or brain damage. Boxers can still get a concussion even if the headgear is used. Boxers who suffer from a concussion or who have been in a coma due to boxing can end up with permanent brain damage.
Does headgear reduce brain trauma?
Headgear does protect from cuts and bruises but it is not a guarantee that you won’t have any brain damage if the headgear is used.
Why Olympic Boxers Aren’t Wearing Headgear Anymore?
In recent years, there have been serious concerns regarding brain damage caused to boxers as well as the ethics of allowing them to hit each other in the head so many times.
To prevent unnecessary damage and injuries, different safety measures are implemented by authorities as well as individual sports federations all around the world.
One such measure adopted by the Olympic Committee recently was dropping the use of headgear during boxing matches.
To understand how and why this decision was made we must first know what exactly boxing headgear does and whether it helps or just gives a false sense of protection?
In the 17th century, as the sport developed and became popular, helmets were introduced with eye and nose protection.
Around the year 1865 when Marquis of Queensberry rules were established, boxing gloves became mandatory with no bare punches allowed to the face. And for the first time, headgear was also made part of boxing equipment.
Boxing headgear was first tested for use by boxers in the 1960 Olympics. During that time, it was mandatory for all boxers to wear headgear during all international competitions. But the use of headgear was reduced gradually and completely eliminated by the year 2007.
The headgear use in boxing was eliminated because it was actually increasing concussions and brain injuries instead of preventing them. So the International Boxing Association and Amateur International Boxing Association both voted to ban it.
The padding around the face and sides can absorb some of the impacts from a punch but definitely not all. It does protect the wearer from cuts and bruises as well as injuries to the nose, eyes, and forehead area to a certain extent.
However, headgear does not protect the brain, as the opponent will assume and try to hit with full power to produce damage through it.
Is boxing with headgear dangerous?
Boxing with headgear is not dangerous in itself, but if the boxing itself is dangerous then yes you will be in danger with headgear on as well. Because headgear won’t be able to save you from getting head injuries.
Boxing is considered to be one of the most brutal of all sports, and with good reason. From its beginnings as a bare-knuckle contest to the modern-day sport under strict rules and regulations, it has remained a bloody sport.
Is boxing With Headgear Safer?
The padding around the face and sides can absorb some of the impacts from a punch but definitely not all. Especially, if you are playing a brutal sport, then headgear may not be able to save you from head injuries.
What does headgear offer?
Headgear offers some protection for the face and eyes but it does not prevent a concussion since the padding does not cover all parts of the head. Headgear does save boxers from cuts and bruises to the face.
One can say that headgear has the following benefits.
- It protects your face, nose, and eyes, as padding around the sides and face can absorb some impact.
- It protects you from cuts and bruises.
- It protects your forehead area from injuries.
- It also gives you some sort of psychological satisfaction.
What type of headgear is best suited for boxing?
Any type of headgear can be used in boxing, but contrary to belief, the best kind of headgear for boxing is one that has less padding. In recent times, even amateur boxers have moved away from the use of headgear. But it gives up to some limit of psychological satisfaction.
The recent changes in rules by the International Boxing Association and Amateur International Boxing Association have raised concerns regarding brain damage to boxers. There have been serious debates and talks in the medical community and among boxing authorities about the abolition of headgear during matches.
Many medical professionals believe that boxing headgear does not prevent concussions, brain damage, and subdural hematoma, but rather it may increase the chances of these injuries.
Experts feel that the headgear prevents boxers from being able to gauge the impact of their punches. A lot of power is needed when punching someone with headgear on, as the headgear absorbs most of the impact. So boxers are forced to punch harder in order to damage their opponent. This could be one of the reasons why there is an increased risk of brain injury among boxers who wear headgear.
