how hard should you be sparring?

[ironkhan57]

OK so i've been doing muay thai for 3 years, technically 2 if you don'the count the 1 year layoff I had because of my parents. so i've been sparring muay thai style in 2 different gyms, and i'm not that advanced or anything i'm intermediate, and i'm trying to compete in muay thai before going into mma, so heres the thing i normally try to go light in sparring mostly because i don't want to make the wrong person angry and get my ass kicked and because i don't want to expend too much energy. now i've never really sparred hard before i usually try to hit people with about 30-40% in sparring, the new gym i joined their are a lot of people that are good, in my other gym i'm one of the best muay thai fighters in my gym because most of the people who were really good left the gym now its just like 6 people in the muay thai class and i'm one of the best in their. and i think i should be going a little harder in sparring just to get use to being hit harder and use to being in a fast pace similar to a fight spar, but idk. so how hard should i be sparring? and since i'm intermediate should i be sparring hard?

 

[j123]

Look at sparring as a testing environment where you'll practice techniques, game-plan, etc you've been drilling throughout the week.

I spar at 30-50% power, but I keep the speed the same. Don't make the mistake of slowing down to 30-50% speed. You can still hit fast, and light.

So to answer your question, keep the same intensity you've been doing so far (30-40%). Also don't be half assing your sparring sessions to "conserve energy". I'm not saying you should go balls to walls making it like a Tabata sprint, but don't spar like slow tai chi pit pat-ish.

 

[ironkhan57]

Look at sparring as a testing environment where you'll practice techniques, game-plan, etc you've been drilling throughout the week.

I spar at 30-50% power, but I keep the speed the same. Don't make the mistake of slowing down to 30-50% speed. You can still hit fast, and light.

So to answer your question, keep the same intensity you've been doing so far (30-40%). Also don't be half assing your sparring sessions to "conserve energy". I'm not saying you should go balls to walls making it like a Tabata sprint, but don't spar like slow tai chi pit pat-ish.

well i don't conserve energy like punch really slow, i just don't put as much effort into the punches and kicks i still try to throw kicks fast and punch fast but i usually try to conserve energy by like not attacking as much like today in sparring i didn't eat anything before i spared and i was not attacking as much and i got really tired eventually with one of my sparring partners because i didn't eat anything. but when should i spar hard like when i become more advanced?

 

[ProDG]

Look at sparring as a testing environment where you'll practice techniques, game-plan, etc you've been drilling throughout the week.

I spar at 30-50% power, but I keep the speed the same. Don't make the mistake of slowing down to 30-50% speed. You can still hit fast, and light.

So to answer your question, keep the same intensity you've been doing so far (30-40%). Also don't be half assing your sparring sessions to "conserve energy". I'm not saying you should go balls to walls making it like a Tabata sprint, but don't spar like slow tai chi pit pat-ish.

I agree with this sentiment. Go fast without going hard. The only set back from this type of sparring is that it doesn't simulate how hitting your opponent right feels. What I mean is, if you were to spar hard, a hit might stun an opponent momentarily or push them back a little. When your power threshold is dialed way down, you don't get these moments. In competition, stunning or rocking an opponent is usually an opportunity to pounce on them, so you gotta work around this setback.

Another thing is if you keep it light, make sure you keep it within the designated range of intensity. It's kind of assholish to go harder than what is agreed upon. Things happen. People run in to punches, so it may feel like someone is going harder that what was agreed on, keep this in mind.

I like sparring fast, but not necessarily hard because it helps to reduce the incidence of injury, yet it allows you to work timing, balance, helps you notice openings and shortcomings, etc. This does not mean that you lack "intensity" per se, it just means that you are not throwing with the intent to do damage.

 

[ProDG]

Really, it depends on your definintion of "hard." If I get someone to turtle up or land a multitude of punches during a combination or blitz, I've already proven a point. I usually back off and restart in the center....because it's sparring to learn, not to beat my partner up. You can hit people hard, but realize that it will take a toll on the body, especially the head.

 

[j123]

well i don't conserve energy like punch really slow, i just don't put as much effort into the punches and kicks i still try to throw kicks fast and punch fast but i usually try to conserve energy by like not attacking as much like today in sparring i didn't eat anything before i spared and i was not attacking as much and i got really tired eventually with one of my sparring partners because i didn't eat anything. but when should i spar hard like when i become more advanced?

Hard spar as in 70%+?

The only time I spar hard, is:
-if some douche has power issues and despite everything letting him know to chill out, and he still goes like its a sanctioned fight, so I'll match it.

-Or I'm nearing the end of my camp (2 weeks out), and the last couple of session will be a bit harder than my usual. so about 60-70%. In terms of power in my strikes from hardest to weakest: legs, body, head

People run in to punches, so it may feel like someone is going harder that what was agreed on, keep this in mind.

This happens alot with newer guys (myself included when I first started sparring). Guy walks into a counter, and within 30 seconds, intensity goes from 50% to GLORY championship match.

Really, it depends on your definintion of "hard." If I get someone to turtle up or land a multitude of punches during a combination or blitz, I've already proven a point. I usually back off and restart in the center....because it's sparring to learn, not to beat my partner up. You can hit people hard, but realize that it will take a toll on the body, especially the head.

I pretty much do the same, the exception to this, is if my coach (or if I'm training/semi-coaching with said partner) wants me to make my training partner work on interrupting my combinations or getting out of the corner ASAP.

I will admit, I would've liked that work during my first camp. Lot of partners just backed out when the point was proven, and on my first exhibition, I was used to that method, and I had trouble getting of the corner cause my opponent did what he could to keep me there.

 

[Fire of Youth]

It depends how controlled you can be. Someone who is very controlled can throw full speed and touch without powering through. This means that the difference between their light and their hard can feel very different but look similar. On the other hand, a person with little control can throw with the intention to be light but actually power all the way through; it looks and feels harder than intended. Newbies typically throw for the heavens in sparring not out of intention to be a dick but just trying to match speed but without the control to pull back at the touch.

 

[ProDG]

You can take being hit harder than you hitting as a challenge to work your defense. Keep composure and work on angling out or finding the opening in between shots to counter. You are more inclined to keep defensively responsible when you know that, if you don't, you'll pay. It teaches you to stay calm and to find opportune times to engage, while the other guy gases. It gets fun after a certain point. They gas and you can start clowning them, with out clowning them (don't "lower" your guard without a purpose, unless your intent is to bait). When they gas, you pretty much dictate the fight. You can choose to pot shot from the outside and have them chase you, and/or let them chase you while they throw over committed shots and fire back in between or after his sequences. It's a lot easier to do when they lose their pep in their step and start to trudge forward....Given of course, you are in better shape. *I don't recommend taking power shots from a stationary position.* You may block most of them, but there is always a chance of one finding its way home. You can work the clinch and dirty box after they finish a sequence. Smother them when they tire, create space to fire, then smother them. Rinse and repeat. I find that body work increases the rate of the decline in their output.

I'm sure you know a lot of the things mentioned above; just sometimes, we forget the option is there unless someone reminds us.

 

[ProDG]

It depends how controlled you can be. Someone who is very controlled can throw full speed and touch without powering through. This means that the difference between their light and their hard can feel very different but look similar. On the other hand, a person with little control can throw with the intention to be light but actually power all the way through; it looks and feels harder than intended. Newbies typically throw for the heavens in sparring not out of intention to be a dick but just trying to match speed but without the control to pull back at the touch.

That and....it can be done out of reflex... A spontaneous burst/patch of fight or flight, especially when the person is not used to getting hit.

 

[ProDG]

-Or I'm nearing the end of my camp (2 weeks out), and the last couple of session will be a bit harder than my usual. so about 60-70%. In terms of power in my strikes from hardest to weakest: legs, body, head.

I am somewhat familiar with this "2 weeks out" approach. But don't you think you risk a little too much, going hard a couple of weeks before the fight? I'd rather start a month and a half out, 2-3 times a week, until three weeks before competition. Then, take the last several weeks to focus on gradually making weight and recovering from any minor injuries while maintaining cardio. I hate getting even slight concussions a couple of weeks out. It feels as though it easier to get rattled when struck coming off of a concussion.

 

[j123]

I am somewhat familiar with this "2 weeks out" approach. But don't you think you risk a little too much, going hard a couple of weeks before the fight? I'd rather start a month and a half out, 2-3 times a week, until three weeks before competition. Then, take the last several weeks to focus on gradually making weight and recovering from any minor injuries while maintaining cardio. I hate getting even slight concussions a couple of weeks out. It feels as though it easier to get rattled when struck coming off of a concussion.

Somewhat. I've never had a concussion, so I'm not sure how bad (even a light one can be). Still, with the harder sparring, the strikes to the head still isn't too crazy, so its somewhat manageable.
I'm actually more concerned with receiving a bad check or getting ripped on the body.

But yeah, hard sparring on weeks 4-5 seems like a good time to have it.

I've heard once you get KOed, you become somewhat more susceptible to it. I'm just lucky so far I haven't had it. A couple of teammates have gotten KOed in their fights, and they don't compete in striking anymore. One does strictly BJJ now, and the other trains causally due to a more high-demand job, new family, etc.

 

[ProDG]

Somewhat. I've never had a concussion, so I'm not sure how bad (even a light one can be). Still, with the harder sparring, the strikes to the head still isn't too crazy, so its somewhat manageable.
I'm actually more concerned with receiving a bad check or getting ripped on the body.

But yeah, hard sparring on weeks 4-5 seems like a good time to have it.

I've heard once you get KOed, you become somewhat more susceptible to it. I'm just lucky so far I haven't had it. A couple of teammates have gotten KOed in their fights, and they don't compete in striking anymore. One does strictly BJJ now, and the other trains causally due to a more high-demand job, new family, etc.

If you ever do, make sure you take ample time to recover, when I say ample, I mean avoid sparring or any jarring movements for 3 months+ depending on severity. TBH, I don't always heed my own advice, especially with not sparring after concussions, but when you feel slow as mud and can't recall things or complete thought processes as quickly as you should, it gets you thinking. I've read articles about actually staying away from light and activities that produce jarring motions. For example, I've had concussions where running or jumping would cause a vertigo /nauseous/headache feeling in my head, where shaking your head (as in shaking your head to say no, would feel quite uncomfortable). There have been times when I should have stopped during sparring after getting rocked, but I continued out of pride. I tend to think twice now whether or not to continue whenever I get rocked hard during training when sparring. It's rarely the case, but ya. Brain health is something you should always consider. Some of the articles I've read were in regards to TBI from concussive blasts, conducted on military servicemen after IED attacks and such. I know it's not exactly the same, but the effects are. The results from those studies actually advise and/or treat those with TBI by putting them in a dark room where sensory stimuli is greatly reduced to allow the brain to function on a basal (very minimal level) for months. In effect, the same reason why people are put into induced comas after such traumatic brain injuries.

Athletes that compete in sports where concussive hits to the head is common are at a much greater risk in acquiring Alzheimer's, Dementia or Parkinson's disease due to the buildup of plaque in their brains.

By no means am I trying to steer anyone away from martial arts, I am merely informing you that you should take TBI and concussions seriously.

Broken bones suck (they suck, they suck bad), body shots hurt like hell, and I feel like they can take a fighter out of a fighter or decline their ability to fight more quickly than a headshot would, but I think ligament/tendon and (concussive) head injuries are much worse.

I truly believe that in training, brain health should be of utmost importance. Having/learning composure and having heart is different from being stubborn and having too much pride when it comes to "hard" sparring. Knowing when to stop and giving up are two different things.

 

[HighestHand]

If you ever do, make sure you take ample time to recover, when I say ample, I mean avoid sparring or any jarring movements for 3 months+ depending on severity.

As a person in the medical/research field, I must respectfully disagree. There is such thing as a protocol called the "Graduated return to play protocol." This is basically a set of procedures you should follow depending on whether or not you have symptoms. When I was still in school, our professor has taught us the that getting a concussion and then not training for like 3 months is bad because you are just wasting your time.

The severity of concussions occur in 3 grades: 1, 2, 3. In every single grade, the protocol you need to observe yourself day to day to see if you are free of symptoms. If you are free of symptoms, do something light the next day. If you are free of symptoms the next day too, add on more activity. Rinse and repeat and you will be fine in 7-10 days.

If you you did not get knocked out (grade 1 and 2), but have concussion symptoms that aren't gone after 2 days, go see a doctor. That means, if you got a concussion on Monday 12 pm, rest and monitor on Tuesday. If your symptoms aren't gone by 12, rest and monitor again until Wed. If they aren't gone by Wed 12pm go see a doctor.

If you get knocked out (grade 3), seek a medical professional immediately upon waking up. If your symptoms aren't gone in 2 days, go see the doctor for a follow up.

Do NOT take ibuprofen because if you happen to have brain bleeding, ibuprofen will make it bleed more. If your doctor or pharmacists recommend ibuprofen, he needs to go back to medical school!

The mistake that most people make is they jump back in too hard, too quickly and that'll worsen their concussions. But the mistake of not training for 3 months+ is also counter productive because you're going to deteriorate in skill in the sport that you train in.

Here is an illustration of the protocol:
http://www.concussiontreatment.com/images/SCI_RTP_Illustration.pdf

 

[ProDG]

As a person in the medical/research field, I must respectfully disagree. There is such thing as a protocol called the "Graduated return to play protocol." This is basically a set of procedures you should follow depending on whether or not you have symptoms. When I was still in school, our professor has taught us the that getting a concussion and then not training for like 3 months is bad because you are just wasting your time.

The severity of concussions occur in 3 grades: 1, 2, 3. In every single grade, the protocol you need to observe yourself day to day to see if you are free of symptoms. If you are free of symptoms, do something light. If you are free of symptoms the next day, add on more activity. Rinse and repeat and you will be fine in 7-10 days.

If you you did not get knocked out (grade 1 and 2), but have concussion symptoms that aren't gone after 2 days, go see a doctor. That means, if you got a concussion on Monday 12 pm, rest and monitor on Tuesday. If your symptoms aren't gone by 12, rest and monitor again until Wed. If they aren't gone by Wed 12pm go see a doctor.

If you get knocked out (grade 3), seek a medical professional immediately upon waking up. If your symptoms aren't gone in 2 days, go see the doctor for a follow up.

Do NOT take ibuprofen because if you happen to have brain bleeding, ibuprofen will make it bleed more. If your doctor or pharmacists recommend ibuprofen, he needs to go back to medical school!

The mistake that most people make is they jump back in too hard, too quickly and that'll worsen their concussions. But the mistake of not training for 3 months+ is also counter productive because you're going to deteriorate in skill in the sport that you train in.

Here is an illustration of the protocol:
http://www.concussiontreatment.com/images/SCI_RTP_Illustration.pdf

I like your reply; by no means will I disagree with what you stated because it has merit. I could stand to be corrected, given the particular circumstance of the subject (concussions due to blunt force trauma and not IEDs, concussive waves due to explosions). The idea I went off of maybe misplaced as it is based off of research done by the military in regards to TBI from IED blasts. But, given that we are talking about brain trauma, it still may have relevance. Part of my thought process I must admit, is theorizing, but not without reference to real life both observation. Still, this in itself (a theory) may prove to be its downfall.

I did mention severity. It was my bad for not really clarifying on this and not really watching my wording. With severity comes the idea that it is easier to re-injure something until it is back to full capacity. Also (here comes the observation part), if we take a look at Fernando Vargas as one particular example, we can see that head trauma accumulates/compounds over time. Even with surgery, rest time and rehabilitation, we know that a tendon will never be the same (lose MAX functional capacity) once torn or severely injured. I know it's a completely different body part, but the idea behind it remains the same. The reason why I believe you cannot completely write-off this idea of mine is because the main subject still remains in tact, brain trauma/damage. There is not enough research done within neuroscience to definitively say that concussive blasts do not have a similar if not familiar effect on the brain as does blunt force trauma. The obvious difference I see between the two is the rate at which the (wave) of energy is imparted/travels through the brain, although TBI from explosions may sometimes include blunt force trauma to the brain due to the kinetic impact of the blast.

And of course...I will definitely agree w/ you 100% on not taking an anticoagulant when there is bleeding.

Personally, I would return to training, as soon as symptoms subside or no longer give me a problem. But, I stick to what I said in that it is a good idea to avoid sparring and activities that would/could jolt the head back sharply. You're right, though, I should reiterate that stopping training completely is a bad idea. I was too quick too quick in typing and did not provide enough insight and clarification. I will reiterate and say that one could resume hitting pads/bags working other technical aspects that do not put the brain in a compromising situation.

I really appreciate your sentiments and input; you made some great points. It made me want to read up more on the subject and it got my brain thinking.

Please, add further insight if you'd like. It's always good to hear information directly from someone in the field of study.

 

[Frode Falch]

- Hard enough that not everything will work.

- Light enough that you can try different things without getting injured.

 

[ironkhan57]

I like your reply; by no means will I disagree with what you stated because it has merit. I could stand to be corrected, given the particular circumstance of the subject (concussions due to blunt force trauma and not IEDs, concussive waves due to explosions). The idea I went off of maybe misplaced as it is based off of research done by the military in regards to TBI from IED blasts. But, given that we are talking about brain trauma, it still may have relevance. Part of my thought process I must admit, is theorizing, but not without reference to real life both observation. Still, this in itself (a theory) may prove to be its downfall.

I did mention severity. It was my bad for not really clarifying on this and not really watching my wording. With severity comes the idea that it is easier to re-injure something until it is back to full capacity. Also (here comes the observation part), if we take a look at Fernando Vargas as one particular example, we can see that head trauma accumulates/compounds over time. Even with surgery, rest time and rehabilitation, we know that a tendon will never be the same (lose MAX functional capacity) once torn or severely injured. I know it's a completely different body part, but the idea behind it remains the same. The reason why I believe you cannot completely write-off this idea of mine is because the main subject still remains in tact, brain trauma/damage. There is not enough research done within neuroscience to definitively say that concussive blasts do not have a similar if not familiar effect on the brain as does blunt force trauma. The obvious difference I see between the two is the rate at which the (wave) of energy is imparted/travels through the brain, although TBI from explosions may sometimes include blunt force trauma to the brain due to the kinetic impact of the blast.

And of course...I will definitely agree w/ you 100% on not taking an anticoagulant when there is bleeding.

Personally, I would return to training, as soon as symptoms subside or no longer give me a problem. But, I stick to what I said in that it is a good idea to avoid sparring and activities that would/could jolt the head back sharply. You're right, though, I should reiterate that stopping training completely is a bad idea. I was too quick too quick in typing and did not provide enough insight and clarification. I will reiterate and say that one could resume hitting pads/bags working other technical aspects that do not put the brain in a compromising situation.

I really appreciate your sentiments and input; you made some great points. It made me want to read up more on the subject and it got my brain thinking.

Please, add further insight if you'd like. It's always good to hear information directly from someone in the field of study.

whats TBI again?

 

[M1ksondong]

Sparring...it all kind of depends on the gym, if you are in training camp or not and who you happen to be paired up with.

Generally, if you're at a quality gym/dojo, the rule of thumb is this; treat your sparring partner like a library book. You want to return them in the same condition you got them.

Some more experienced guys will have a quick chat prior to the round(s) to discuss power, but usually, if you go hard or light, so will your partner, and vice versa.

In the gym I train at, the fighters generally stick to each other for sparring and generally go harder than the people in the gym there for straight up fitness, if you're in a mixed class, you need to recognize this. Some sparring drills are meant to increase in intensity as they progress, but you'll know that going in...or you should, haha.

My 2 cents, such as they are

 

[HighestHand]

whats TBI again?

I like your reply; by no means will I disagree with what you stated because it has merit. I could stand to be corrected, given the particular circumstance of the subject (concussions due to blunt force trauma and not IEDs, concussive waves due to explosions). The idea I went off of maybe misplaced as it is based off of research done by the military in regards to TBI from IED blasts. But, given that we are talking about brain trauma, it still may have relevance. Part of my thought process I must admit, is theorizing, but not without reference to real life both observation. Still, this in itself (a theory) may prove to be its downfall.

I did mention severity. It was my bad for not really clarifying on this and not really watching my wording. With severity comes the idea that it is easier to re-injure something until it is back to full capacity. Also (here comes the observation part), if we take a look at Fernando Vargas as one particular example, we can see that head trauma accumulates/compounds over time. Even with surgery, rest time and rehabilitation, we know that a tendon will never be the same (lose MAX functional capacity) once torn or severely injured. I know it's a completely different body part, but the idea behind it remains the same. The reason why I believe you cannot completely write-off this idea of mine is because the main subject still remains in tact, brain trauma/damage. There is not enough research done within neuroscience to definitively say that concussive blasts do not have a similar if not familiar effect on the brain as does blunt force trauma. The obvious difference I see between the two is the rate at which the (wave) of energy is imparted/travels through the brain, although TBI from explosions may sometimes include blunt force trauma to the brain due to the kinetic impact of the blast.

And of course...I will definitely agree w/ you 100% on not taking an anticoagulant when there is bleeding.

Personally, I would return to training, as soon as symptoms subside or no longer give me a problem. But, I stick to what I said in that it is a good idea to avoid sparring and activities that would/could jolt the head back sharply. You're right, though, I should reiterate that stopping training completely is a bad idea. I was too quick too quick in typing and did not provide enough insight and clarification. I will reiterate and say that one could resume hitting pads/bags working other technical aspects that do not put the brain in a compromising situation.

I really appreciate your sentiments and input; you made some great points. It made me want to read up more on the subject and it got my brain thinking.

Please, add further insight if you'd like. It's always good to hear information directly from someone in the field of study.

Ah okay I think I know what you were referring to.

The military research was done on Traumatic Brain Injury which is a very very very bad concussion (or rather, a concussion is a super mild form of TBI) with post concussive disorder, meaning concussion symptoms are shown not to have gone away after weeks and months. In the study, tau is the bio marker indicating an individual's protein amount in the brain, which is abnormal.

These are serious coma inducing or even life threatening issues but still follow the symptomatic observation protocol.

There are two types of TBIs when I learned it,

The multiple concussion TBI. This TBI usually comes with having multiple concussions, that's why they tell you not to get rocked and keep going. If you get rocked, take sparring off for a few days and make sure you have no symptoms to be safe

One hit TBIs which is one instance in which case a heavy blow comes, like falling in concrete, car crash, or having a bomb blow up near you. Very serious things.

I don't recall which one was worse, but there definitely was a better of the two. I think it was the one hit TBI but don't quote me on that.

With this, the current treatment for mild TBI (grade 1, 2 and possibly 3 depending on the physicians diagnosis) is just rest and the graduated return to play protocol which is usually 1-2 days of symptom free rest days at max and a gradually harder work load each passing day. This will take approx. 7-10 days to get you back to full.

If a physician deems your TBI to be severe, then it will take months of rehab and hospitalization. They treat this as serious things and hire psychologists and physical therapists and all that. They also tell you not to do anything that damaging to the brain, so if you're doing martial arts, spar very little and do not continue if you get rocked even once. Spar weekly or bi-weekly if you have to.

 

[ProDG]

whats TBI again?

Traumatic Brain Injury

Ah okay I think I know what you were referring to.

The military research was done on Traumatic Brain Injury which is a very very very bad concussion (or rather, a concussion is a super mild form of TBI) with post concussive disorder, meaning concussion symptoms are shown not to have gone away after weeks and months. In the study, tau is the bio marker indicating an individual's protein amount in the brain, which is abnormal.

These are serious coma inducing or even life threatening issues but still follow the symptomatic observation protocol.

There are two types of TBIs when I learned it,

The multiple concussion TBI. This TBI usually comes with having multiple concussions, that's why they tell you not to get rocked and keep going. If you get rocked, take sparring off for a few days and make sure you have no symptoms to be safe

One hit TBIs which is one instance in which case a heavy blow comes, like falling in concrete, car crash, or having a bomb blow up near you. Very serious things.

I don't recall which one was worse, but there definitely was a better of the two. I think it was the one hit TBI but don't quote me on that.

With this, the current treatment for mild TBI (grade 1, 2 and possibly 3 depending on the physicians diagnosis) is just rest and the graduated return to play protocol which is usually 1-2 days of symptom free rest days at max and a gradually harder work load each passing day. This will take approx. 7-10 days to get you back to full.

If a physician deems your TBI to be severe, then it will take months of rehab and hospitalization. They treat this as serious things and hire psychologists and physical therapists and all that. They also tell you not to do anything that damaging to the brain, so if you're doing martial arts, spar very little and do not continue if you get rocked even once. Spar weekly or bi-weekly if you have to.

One-hitter quitters are bad, and not so much---in a sense. It's bad because you obviously take severe damage. But the fact that it is a single instance---is its saving grace. You know to seek medical health immediately, whereas recurring hits to the head whether mild---to getting "rocked," you can tough it out. You can "ignore" them and train on. Really, the whole problem is lack of education in part of some trainers and athletes. Smaller hits (ones that don't knock you out), we can let go, rest for a few, then jump right back into things. Smaller repeated blows may not have a "significant IMMEDIATE effect," which is why (going back to the original topic of the thread) it is my recommendation for people to take hard sparring with a grain of salt, to do it only so often, or to focus more on the fundamental aspects of striking such as timing, distance, positioning, technique, mechanics, balance, etc, when sparring. You can be a tough it out in the ring, don't spend all your money on appetizers before you get to the main course because you only have so much in your pockets.

I do apologize if my writing is a little disheveled; it is not the most organized and it can be a bit all over the place which can lead to bad interpretation of what I actually mean.

HighestHand, I was wondering what kind of studies you guys conduct. Would you mind elaborating and sharing more on what your company/clinic does? I've always been interested in neuro. Personally, I'd like to pursue a career in ortho, but I find great pleasure in learning more about all the systems of the human body.

It does feel as if toughness is greatly impressed upon and valued in some gyms. So in the subject of "how hard should you be sparring," how often and in what intervals should also be asked. I think most of us don't want to be the first guy to ask for the intensity to be toned down, especially when there is a more old-school tough guy gym mentality floating around. As it was stated earlier, I think there is a big difference of knowing when to stop, and being stubborn.

 

[GalegoREB]

One-hitter quitters are bad, and not so much---in a sense. It's bad because you obviously take severe damage. But the fact that it is a single instance---is its saving grace.

Just a few months ago a portuguese mma fighter,João Carvalho, died from cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) and he wasn't even knocked out, he just felt sick a few minutes after the fight and fainted.