The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian counterpart (Canadian Pediatric Society) have urged parents to keep kids out of the ring or sports that focus on head and face contact, like MMA;

“In boxing, children and youth are encouraged and rewarded for hitting the head. We’re saying, don’t put kids in a sport where hitting the head is condoned and encouraged,” said Dr. Claire LeBlanc, co-author of the new position statement and chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Healthy Active Living and Sports Medicine Committee.

The new policy statement is published in the September issue of Pediatrics, and was released online Aug. 29.

The news was not met with fanfare everywhere, Continue reading →