Las Vegas, Nevada: A new study has put professional slap fighting—already a spectacle of stinging faces and viral meme fame—under the microscope, and the result isn’t pretty. Researchers analyzed a whopping 333 slaps delivered during official slap fighting matches, closely tracking participants for visible signs of concussion. The conclusion: over half of all slap sequences left fighters displaying clear symptoms of concussion, and nearly 80% of athletes showed at least one sign of concussion during their bout.
Visible symptoms observed included stumbling, confusion, delayed responses, and in some cases, brief loss of consciousness. The researchers noted that the nature of slap fighting—fully unguarded, direct blows to the head—makes it uniquely risky, even among combat sports.
One medical observer dryly commented, “The head is not designed to withstand open-hand slaps with the force of a car crash. There are safer ways to go viral.”
Despite the risks, slap fighting has surged in popularity worldwide, drawing huge online audiences and lucrative sponsorships. The findings, however, have sparked calls for stricter safety protocols, with some health experts suggesting the sport’s risks might outweigh its entertainment value.
Sources: BIAA • University of Pittsburgh • PubMed • EurekAlert • CBS News • ScienceDaily • British Psychological Society • AANS • ScienceAlert