Long-Term Cognitive Decline in MMA Fighters: A Two-Year Cohort Study on Executive Function Impairments Due to Repetitive Head Strikes

Michele Andrade de Brito, José Raimundo Fernandes, Keveenrick Ferreira Costa, Clóvis Albuquerque Maurício, Aleksandro Ferreira Gonçalves, Otávio de Toledo Nóbrega, Esteban Aedo-Muñhoz, Ciro José Brito, Diego Ignácio Vanezuela Pérez () and Bianca Miarka
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Michele Andrade de Brito: Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, Brazil
José Raimundo Fernandes: Universidade do Vale do Rio Doce, Governador Valadares 35020-220, Brazil
Keveenrick Ferreira Costa: Universidade do Vale do Rio Doce, Governador Valadares 35020-220, Brazil
Clóvis Albuquerque Maurício: Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, Brazil
Aleksandro Ferreira Gonçalves: Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, Brazil
Otávio de Toledo Nóbrega: School of Physical Education, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Esteban Aedo-Muñhoz: Departamento de Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Ñuñoa 7760197, Chile
Ciro José Brito: Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
Diego Ignácio Vanezuela Pérez: Escuela de Kinesiologia, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Ñuñoa 7800262, Chile
Bianca Miarka: Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Background: This study examines the long-term cognitive consequences of repetitive head impact on executive functions in mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters over two years. Methods: Neuropsychological tests assessed executive functions in two groups: competitive (CG; n = 26) and recreational groups (RG; n = 26). Results: A significant interaction between time and group was observed. The CG experienced greater declines in Mental Processing Speed (MPS) after 1 year [4.6 s (3.1; 6.1); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [14.6 s (5.1; 24.0); p = 0.003]. Inhibitory control (IC) also declined after 1 year [4.7 a.u. (3.0; 6.2); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [10.0 a.u. (11.6; 11.4); p ≤ 0.001]. Cognitive flexibility (CF) showed a pronounced reduction after 1 year [4.8 a.u. (3.0; 6.7); p ≤ 0.001] and 2 years [7.5 a.u. (5.9; 9.1); p ≤ 0.001]. Automatic (AP) and controlled processes (CP), as well as direct (DM) and indirect memory (IM), also showed significant impairments in CG. Conclusions: These findings highlight the detrimental effects of MMA competitions on cognitive function, emphasizing the need for monitoring and interventions to preserve fighters’ health and performance.

Keywords: brain injuries; mixed martial arts; neuropsychological tests; athletic injuries; head trauma; memory disorders; executive function (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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