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Boxing trauma in ancient games

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Abstract

Cause of this enquiry is the research and the analysis of sport injuries during the conduction of boxing games in ancient Greece. The methodology of the study was included the use of systematic review of the writings in the Greek and the world literature. We visited museums, sports clubs, libraries and open-air archaeological sites. Furthermore, we conducted a systematic examination of the items, which are preserved in the creations of antiquity (sculpture, art angiography and angioplasty). According to the main findings of the study in boxing game, various sports injuries were recognised, such as scratches, lacerations, bleeding under the conjunctiva, skin oedema, ‘cauliflower ear’, nose bleeding and fractures of the nasal bones. After the fight, the athletes had deformities of the face, nose bleeding, fractures of the nose, ripped ears and swollen eyes. We concluded that the cases where the boxing athletes were wounded were usual in this era.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Science, Medical School, Athens, Greece

    N. N. Nomikos

  2. 3rd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, Κ.Α.Τ. Hospital, Kifissia, Athens, Greece

    G. N. Nomikos & D. S. Korres

  3. 2nd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, ‘Konstantopoulion’ Hospital, N. Ionia, Athens, Greece

    Stergios N. Lallos & N. E. Efstathopoulos

  4. 2nd Orthopaedic Department, University of Athens, 9A, Kythnou Street, 15343, Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece

    Stergios N. Lallos

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  1. N. N. Nomikos
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  2. G. N. Nomikos
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  3. D. S. Korres
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  4. Stergios N. Lallos
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  5. N. E. Efstathopoulos
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Correspondence to Stergios N. Lallos.

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Nomikos, N.N., Nomikos, G.N., Korres, D.S. et al. Boxing trauma in ancient games. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 22, 433–436 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-011-0858-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-011-0858-y

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