During the 2014 Commonwealth Games, for the first time since 1982, the use of protective head guards was banned in the male boxing events.
Research has found that since the rule stating that all boxers in amateur competitions must wear head guards was introduced before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games the number of head injuries has actually increased.
Dr Mike Loosemore, Lead Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the ISEH and Lead Sports Physician (South of England) at the English Institute for Sport, works closely with GB Boxing and was in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games as the Chief Medical Officer for Team England believes that the number of concussions and knockouts is now decreasing and that the new rules introduced have been a ‘positive development’ for both the safety of the boxers as well as the quality of the boxing.
‘Evidence has found that, when they introduced head guards in 1984, the number of head injuries increased. The number has actually decreased since head guards have been removed.’ He said
The new regulations mean that boxers are more cautious and do not feel as confident without the head guard. As a result the boxers may pay more attention to defence and take fewer risks than if they were wearing a head guard.
‘When you have a head guard on you are more likely to get an injury.’ Said Dr Loosemore before going on to add:
‘There are several reasons for this: it could be that head guards restrict your vision slightly, so you don’t see the punches coming, and maybe that the head guard increases the size of the head.
‘The referees also can’t see the boxers so clearly, so they can’t see when they’re in trouble.
‘But the most likely reason is people just feel more confident with a head guard on. They don’t put their head in a position where it can’t get hit. That’s the most persuasive argument for me.’
Dr Loosemore believes that not only will the new rule lead to a safer fight but also to a more exciting one, arguing that ‘The boxing’s better without the head guards and it’s reducing the number of head injuries, which is low in this sport anyway.’
Whilst this new rule has come into place in Men’s amateur boxing, due to the fact that Women’s boxing is still such a young sport, not enough research has been conducted to say for sure that the same changes should be made, as a result the Women’s sport will include the use of head guards for the time being.
Dr Mike Loosemore is pictured with Nicola Adams with her gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.