Head impacts are part of striking sports, which makes concussion awareness essential for every athlete, coach, official and parent. This article is general information to help you recognise and respond to concussion. It is not a substitute for medical assessment: when in doubt, sit them out and see a doctor.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that makes the brain move inside the skull. It can happen without a knockdown and without loss of consciousness. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours.
Signs and symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head.
- Dizziness, balance problems.
- Confusion, feeling "foggy" or slowed down.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise.
- Memory problems, especially around the event.
- Mood changes: irritability, sadness, anxiety.
- Sleep disturbance.
Red flags: call emergency services
- Loss of consciousness, or deteriorating consciousness.
- Worsening or severe headache.
- Repeated vomiting.
- Seizure.
- Weakness, numbness or tingling in arms or legs.
- Slurred speech or increasing confusion.
- Unequal pupils.
What to do immediately
- Stop training or competing at once.
- Do not leave the athlete alone in the first hours.
- Get a medical assessment.
- No alcohol, no driving.
Medical suspensions
After a knockout or hard stoppage, the ringside doctor may impose a medical suspension. At KBN, post-bout medical suspensions ordered by the ringside physician are recorded and enforced across all branches. Officials see suspension status when they scan the fighter's licence at check-in, and an athlete under suspension cannot compete under KBN sanction.
Returning to training
Return should be gradual and supervised, typically progressing from rest to light activity, then non-contact training, then controlled contact, and finally full sparring, moving to the next step only if symptoms do not return. The exact protocol and timing should come from a doctor. Never spar again until medically cleared.
| Step | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Relative rest; daily activities that do not worsen symptoms |
| 2 | Light aerobic exercise |
| 3 | Sport-specific drills without head impact |
| 4 | Non-contact technical training |
| 5 | Controlled contact after medical clearance |
| 6 | Return to full sparring and competition |
Reducing risk
- Limit hard sparring.
- Use controlled technical sparring for most sessions.
- Strengthen the neck under qualified supervision.
- Never compete dehydrated from a severe weight cut.
- Report symptoms honestly; hiding them puts you at greater risk.
Injury prevention for fighters →
Referee stoppages and safety →
For coaches and gyms
- Remove any athlete with suspected concussion from training immediately.
- Keep a record of head injuries and ensure medical clearance before return.
- Build a culture where athletes report symptoms without fear of losing their place.
- Plan sparring to limit head impacts across the week.
For officials
At KBN events, officials see suspension status when they scan an athlete's licence. An athlete under medical suspension cannot compete under KBN sanction. If an athlete shows symptoms at weigh-in or warm-up, involve the doctor.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| No knockdown, no concussion | Concussion can happen without a knockdown |
| You must keep a concussed person awake all night | Follow medical advice; seek emergency care for red flags |
| Symptoms always appear immediately | They can develop over hours |
| Return to sparring when you feel fine | Return only after a graded plan and medical clearance |
Long-term brain health
Repeated head impacts over a career are a concern for brain health, even when individual impacts do not cause obvious concussion. Many medical experts therefore advise limiting head contact in training, taking every suspected concussion seriously and discussing career length and warning signs with a doctor. Athletes who notice lasting changes in memory, mood, concentration or coordination should seek medical assessment.
A note for parents
Young athletes may recover more slowly from concussion and may not describe symptoms clearly. Watch for changes in behaviour, school performance, sleep and headaches after training or competition, and seek medical advice early.
Frequently asked questions
QCan I have a concussion without being knocked out?
Yes. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness.
QHow long should I wait before sparring again?
Only return to contact after a doctor has cleared you, following a graded return. The timing depends on the individual.
QDoes a medical suspension apply in other countries?
KBN records post-bout medical suspensions and enforces them across all its branches.
QShould I tell my coach about mild symptoms?
Yes, always. Early rest and assessment reduce risk.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.