Repeated concussions and effects on behavior

Bob at Striking Thoughts has an excellent post detailing some of the autopsy slides of the brain of Chris Benoit, the pro wrestler who murdered his wife and child before killing himself in 2007. The gist of his post is that it may have been the repeated head trauma that affected his behavior, and should be avoided by all of us. Bob certainly never claims that the repeated concussions were the sole cause of the murderous behavior, but his inclusion of evidence that Benoit’s brain was damaged in compelling.

The family of Chris Benoit has been searching for answers since late June, when the professional wrestler killed his wife, 7-year-old son and then himself….

The tests, conducted by Julian Bailes of the Sports Legacy Institute, show that Benoit’s brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer’s patient.

Bailes and his research team say that this damage was the result of a lifetime of chronic concussions and head trauma suffered while Benoit was in the wrestling ring.

Benoit’s “finishing move” was the flying headbutt. The above video is but one instance of Benoit using this move over decades of theatrical wrestling.

We have posted here several times (see Head Butts - recipe for disaster? and other links at the bottom of this post) on how dangerous using head butts can be, but it should be noted that they are extremely effective as a self-defense tool. The danger is in the ease with which you can either knock yourself out cold, but even more in the regular damage to your own brain that is inflicted by training with them.

I have also had a series of controversial posts on the effectiveness of martial arts or boxing-type headgear on preventing brain injury. My opinion is that it’s not effective, and could actually increase your chances, in normal studio-type or full-contact, sparring, of brain trauma. Not a scientific opinion, but one based on my experience and common sense. There are some caveats to that, but read the posts and form your own opinion.

One additional piece of information that may influence you:
My understanding is the the US Marine Corps stopped allowing head contact in their MCMAP program due to the vast number of concussions and even deaths that were inflicted as a result of the head contact. No doubt it was due to the gung ho attitudes of the young recruits and Marines involved, but it speaks to the inherent danger of head contact as well.

Indeed the point of Bob’s post is well-taken, “Bottom line: there are many ways to safely practice self-defense without risking repeated and needless blows to your head.” In other words all of us training with contact should utilize controlled contact to the head to avoid exactly the type of damage mentioned in the Science Daily press release (see below).

Thanks for the important update, Bob.

Post links at Striking Thoughts

Use your head! « Striking Thoughts
Science Daily: Wrestler Chris Benoit Brain's Forensic Exam Consistent With Numerous Brain Injuries

On the Use of Head Butts

TDA Head Butts - recipe for disaster?
TDA Head Butts - use 'em or not?
WHEN HEADS COLLIDE! by Hock Hochheim
Dead athletes' brains show damage from concussions
Is the Headbutt Effective for Self Defence via Markstraining.com

On Effectiveness of headgear

TDA Headgear or mouthpieces
TDA Does headgear protect your noggin? – UPDATED
TDA Stop hitting me so hard!
EFFECTIVENESS OF BOXING HEADGEAR FOR LIMITING INJURY
Boxing Damages Brain Despite Headgear Protection

My “Martial Arts” Rant

This is a compilation of something I tweeted over a 20-minute period a couple of days ago. I have not edited it for content or spelling. It was inspired by a combination of things, including the attempted bombing in Times Square, what I perceives as national security mistakes by our current Administration, and meeting a large group of New York police officers whose mere presence reminded me of the massive sacrifice that was made on 9-11-2001, and of all of the pledges of “never again” that were made in the days and weeks that followed. Make of it what you will. Feel free to comment if you follow the rules.

Pearl Harbor after attack

Does it seem like only a matter of time? The last three attempted attacks were only stopped by good fortune or vigilance. Can't continue...

Border security seems to be only one, but an important piece of the solution to our security. What are the rest?

Are we all really united in desiring to protect our country from attack? Surely not. One "citizen" seems to have slipped through the cracks.

Do you fear, as I do, that these attacks will succeed in places where we are less aware, less vigilant? If you thought we had "police state"

... before a domestic attack succeeds, what will happen after? Will we all have to carry "papers?" What kind?

Some seem to think that I should "stick to martial arts" in my writings and keep my opinions to my self.

Some practical lessons I have learned from the practice and application of martial arts:

No one can "defend" indefinitely. If an attacker persists, we must counterattack, not defend, to survive. Entirely different mindset.

We must always have a Plan B. What if being polite or nice doesn't work?

We must face reality: there are those who would harm us for gain, or to spite our success. Or to take by threat or force what we have earned
We must hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Only the strong and prepared can defend the weak or unprepared.

We train so that we DO NOT have to fight. If we are armed and trained, there is less chance of being victimized.

There is no substitute for victory.

New York after attack

Peace is a great and good state, but is the exception in this world. Prepare to deescalate, or to match and exceed. Prepare.

Not projecting strength is the same as projecting weakness. It invites exploitation.

The biggest or strongest don't have to fight; they can choose. Can you?

Should we disarm when our enemies are still armed? Should we turn our backs when those who want to kill us have their daggers out?

I know I could never forgive myself if my lack of preparation let my family come to harm. Could you? We are responsible for the vulnerable.

This ends my "martial arts" rant. I should stick to that, right?

The best movie kicks of all time?

Just had to share this one: Ikigai has  The Top 7 Kicks in Martial Arts Movie History up at his site. What do you think. I suppose some of our TDA Training videos should have made it, but got no consideration. I know, an outrage, but that's Hollywood politics for you.