Brain expert warns growing trend of slapping could cause irreparable damage

A “sport” in which two people compete against each other at a table with the simple goal of hitting someone in the face with an open hand as hard as possible is sparking concern in the medical community after a recent study published showing the effects on the brain. Brain injury expert Natalie Mackenzie joins many other experts in raising concerns following the publication of a warning letter in a leading newspaper.

“As a brain injury specialist and cognitive rehabilitation therapist, I am more familiar with the effects of trauma on the brain than most. In recent years, many headlines have revolved around the impact of contact sports on players’ long-term brain health. A wave of research and development aimed at making these sports safer and reducing the risk of brain trauma. But here we are dealing with an activity that causes concussion symptoms even to the untrained eye.

You only have to watch any of the short, slow-motion videos on social media to see a competitor dazed, confused, unsteady and disoriented after a single slap. Research increasingly shows that the effects of multiple concussions have significant short- and long-term effects on the brain and its function, and in some cases can be catastrophic. The force of these blows throws the neck and head away from the body in such a way that there is no doubt that damage occurs at the neuronal level as the cells are pushed apart, crushed and sheared off. This damage is irreparable. Research suggests that repeated blows can contribute to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease that causes disability and reduced brain function, explains Natalie, who specializes in supporting families of brain injuries.

After analyzing 333 slaps, a recent study found that nearly 80% of participants had visible signs of a concussion in at least one of their games, which can cause many problems.

“There are also effects on general cognitive function in competitors, with neural damage impacting memory, problem solving, mood and behavior,” adds Natalie.

While young people can be influenced online, Natalie warns that it’s certainly not a trend worth copying. “It’s certainly not a sport that I can imagine parents would like to see introduced into schools, making boxing seem like a ‘gentler’ and safer option!” I would definitely advise anyone not to take part “To participate in this type of competition and avoid any support to reduce the popularity of the social media hype,” she explains.