Brain Fitness in Combat Sports.

Bradley Garcia, Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa

Journal: Neurologic clinics 2026;44(3):357-363

PMID: 42379663

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Abstract

Combat sports athletes inherently challenge their nervous system and put strain on its reserve. Brain fitness is a growing concept and field of research in neurology but particularly in sports neurology for the purpose of improving athlete performance and longevity. The ways in which we can optimize brain fitness of combat sports athletes involves the categories of safe training/rest schedules, prefight and postfight examinations, nutrition/vitamin supplementation, and hydration. When sports neurologists consider at least these areas, it contributes to safe participation for these neurologically vulnerable athletes.

Address: Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA.; Hartford HealthCare Sports Neurology Program, Ayer Neuroscience Institute, 85 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2026.03.004

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Brain, Athletes, Boxing, Martial Arts, Physical Fitness