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‘A recipe for disaster’: The Power Slap League – and why neurologists are so concerned | US News


Neuroscientists and sports stars have condemned a new contest in which participants are seen taking turns slapping each other as hard as they can.

Power Slap: Road To The Title, published by UFC chairperson White skin, has faced scrutiny following its launch this week.

The TV show, which premiered on Wednesday, January 18, will feature eight episodes that its creators say are scriptless.

It highlights opponents from around the world who battle it out on stage to prove they have the strongest slap.

Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, former wrestler and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said the show was “pure exploitation” and suggested that one of the competitors appeared in the video he featured in. shared on Twitter “may never be the same”.

Tagging both White and the US television network that is broadcasting the show, TBS, Nowinski suggested they should be “shamed” for creating and supporting a sport he said could put people at risk serious brain injury.

“What’s next, ‘Who can survive being stabbed?’,” he added.

Sky News takes a look at what the series is all about – and why experts are condemning it.

What is Power Slap and what are the rules?

In a two-minute preview video, White explains the rules of the competition, which has been licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

“Before the match started, a coin toss took place to initiate the first slap,” he said

“There is a maximum of three rounds in a match. In each round, the boxer will deliver a straight slap in the face of the opponent.”

Power slap Union.  Photo: Twitter
Picture:
Power slap Union. Photo: Twitter

At the start of the round, the first “striker” has a time limit of 30 seconds to execute a slap with his hands, under the eyes but above the chin.

The striker cannot lead with the palm of his hand, and the entire hand must be in contact at once.

After being slapped, the player has 30 seconds to recover and return to “game”.

Referees use a 10-point system, much like boxing, with the winner of a round getting 10 points and the opponent 9 points or less.

People who are slapped are not allowed to flinch, lift their shoulders or lift their chin – rules that seem to be behind the claim that they are actually defenseless.

“It’s the ultimate test of toughness,” says White.

Why are experts concerned about competition?

Experts have warned that the event has the potential to cause significant and long-term physical harm to the participants.

Consultant neurology professor Nikos Evangelou at Nottingham University Hospital, told Sky News: “One of the problems with the Power Slap is that participants are penalized when they move or flinch.

“Any movement that can reduce the effect of a blow to the head is penalized.”

He said “impact to the head, from an angle, can cause rotation on the brain” – which he says is “a recipe for disaster”.

Professor Evangeliou added: “It’s only a matter of time before we see more severe brain damage from dissection.”

When asked what the long-term health impact of repetitive head trauma might be, Professor Evangeliu said it was important to recognize that memory and other cognitive effects on the brain can have long-term effects. long.

What are the risks?

Professor Evangeliou describes the force and potential danger that can be like a punch.

“It’s all a matter of physics,” he told Sky News.

“The force applied to the face is the same as when a person punches the face. The head/brain receives a blow and the brain is concussion, hopefully causing a temporary but sometimes permanent disruption of brain function.

“It’s sad because the potential twisting motion of the head can cause more serious complications.”

He said that death can occur after a blow to the head if it causes one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain to split.

“Sadly, it’s not uncommon in clinical practice.”

Professor Evangeliu said “most of the time” he expected participants to simply be “stunned”, but at times they could become unresponsive, lose balance, confused or convulse.

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What people are saying on social media

Several people shared their thoughts on Twitter.

One user wrote: “Who says broadcasting this would be a good idea needs to re-examine their minds. Not realistic.”

Another added: “This is definitely embarrassing. Not only for the organization that produced it but also for the viewers who consume it. Why watch someone who is completely defenseless. , affected by the force of the shock without any protective measures.”

However, there are also fans.

One person tweeted: “I don’t particularly like it but these are adults who know the risks.”

What do the organizers say?

The people behind the competition tried to emphasize the measures they took to ensure the safety of their competitors.

UFC President Dana White has faced backlash over her latest sports TV show.  Photo: AP
Picture:
UFC President Dana White has faced backlash over her latest sports TV show. Photo: AP

In a recent interview, White answered a question about the boxers’ health.

“We spend money to make sure we have two healthy people there, with proper medical care during and after the battle,” he said.

“These are the things we need to educate people, just like we need to educate people about mixed martial arts.”

UFC business manager Hunter Campbell previously told ESPN that the Power Slap tournament has been carefully vetted and is based on a set of rules and structures based on mixed martial arts (MMA).

He also said the league will have similar medical requirements to MMA, such as weight classes and matchmaking.

“After testing it, it became clear to us that there was huge potential here as a sport, unlike the early years of the UFC,” he said.

“It makes sense in the world to move towards regulation before the sport even begins, for all the obvious reasons – number one, the health and safety of competitors.”

Sky News has reached out to the creators of Power Slap, TBS and the Nevada State Athletic Commission for comment.

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