COMPARISON OF ALPHA FREQUENCY BAND POWER IN ACTIVE AMATEUR BOXERS AND SEDENTARY INDIVIDUALS USING EEG TECHNOLOGY

Year 2025, Volume: 23 Issue: 1, 18 - 29, 30.03.2025

Muhammed Sıddık Çemç , Onur Erdem Korkmaz

Abstract

Chronic traumatic brain injury has been a major concern in combat sports, particularly boxing, due to the reoccurring impacts to the head that might result in lasting neurological effects. This research was conducted to address the lack of sufficient research on the resting-state alpha frequency band power in active amateur boxers, which may provide insights into early signs of brain injury. Participants included 7 male amateur boxers whose average age was 19.57 ± 2.63 and who had been actively boxing for 7.57 ± 3.55 years, and 9 healthy males whose average age was 19.88 ± 0.92 and who had not participated in any combat sports. EEG recordings were obtained according to the international 10-20 system for 3 minutes with eyes open and 3 minutes with eyes closed. The raw EEG data were inspected and cleaned to remove artifacts. Finite Impulse Response (FIR) and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters were applied to eliminate unwanted frequencies during frequency analysis. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) was utilized to convert EEG signals from the time domain to the frequency domain and to calculate alpha band power (µV²). The data obtained were analyzed using the Analyzer2 software. Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to measure the dissimilarities between the two groups. When examining the alpha frequency band power values of participants at rest with eyes open and eyes closed, there were not any statistically significant dissimilarities in the frontopolar region (Fp1, Fp2), frontal region (F3, F4), central region (C3, Cz, C4), parietal region (P3, Pz, P4), and occipital region (O1, Oz, O2) in terms of microvolts squared (µV²) of the groups. However, boxers had partially lower alpha frequency band power values in all analyzed channels. This finding may be related to the specific sport practiced. Although no significant dissimilarities were noted in alpha frequency band power values between the two groups, the lower values observed in boxers across all channels may be linked to the repetitive head impacts inherent in the sport. This finding highlights the importance of further research to explore the neurophysiological effects of boxing and the potential role of protective measures in minimizing health risks.

Keywords

Boxing, Electrophysiology, Traumatic Brain Injury

EEG TEKNOLOJİSİ KULLANILARAK AKTİF AMATÖR BOKSÖRLERİN ALFA FREKANSI BANT GÜCÜNÜN SEDANTER BİREYLERLE KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI

Abstract

Kronik travmatik beyin hasarı, özellikle boks gibi dövüş sporlarında, baş bölgesine alınan tekrarlayan darbelerin uzun vadeli nörolojik etkiler yaratabilmesi nedeniyle önemli bir endişe kaynağı olmuştur. Bu çalışma, aktif amatör boksörlerde dinlenik durumdaki alfa frekansı bant gücüne ilişkin araştırma eksikliğini gidermek ve beyin hasarının erken belirtilerine ışık tutmak amacıyla icra edilmiştir. Katılımcılar en az lise düzeyinde eğitim almış sağ el tercihli; 19.57 ± 2.63 yaş ortalaması olan 7.57 ± 3.55 yıldır aktif boks yapan 7 erkek amatör boksör ve 19.88 ± 0.92 yaş ortalamasına sahip herhangi bir dövüş sporu yapmamış 9 sağlıklı erkekten oluşmaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında EEG kaydı uluslararası 10-20 sistemine uygun, 3 dk göz açık ve 3 dk göz kapalı olacak şekilde alınmıştır. Ham veriler, artefaktları gidermek amacıyla incelenmiş ve temizlenmiştir. Frekans analizlerinde, istenmeyen frekansların elimine edilmesi için Finite Impulse Response (FIR) ve Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtreleri kullanılmıştır. EEG sinyallerinin zaman alanından frekans alanına dönüştürülmesi ve alfa bant güçlerinin (µV²) hesaplanması için Hızlı Fourier Dönüşümü (FFT) yöntemi uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, Analyzer2 yazılımı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Verilerin gruplar arasındaki farkını değerlendirmek için Mann-Whitney U testi uygulanmıştır. Katılımcıların dinlenik durumda göz açık ve göz kapalı alfa frekansı bant gücü değerleri incelendiğinde her iki grup arasında frontopolar bölgede Fp1, Fp2; frontal bölgede F3, F4; santral bölgede C3, Cz, C4; parietal bölgede P3, Pz, P4; oksipital bölgede O1, Oz, O2 kanallarında mikrovolt kare (µV²) cinsinden istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark gözlenmemiştir. Fakat boksörlerin analiz edilen tüm kanallarda kısmen daha düşük alfa frekansı bant gücü değerine sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu durumun icra edilen spor branşı ile ilişkili olabileceği fikri doğmaktadır. İki grup arasında alfa frekansı bant gücü değerlerinde anlamlı bir fark bulunmamasına rağmen, boksörlerde tüm kanallarda gözlemlenen daha düşük değerler, bu sporun doğasında bulunan tekrarlayan kafa darbeleri ile ilişkili olabilir. Bu bulgu, boksun nörofizyolojik etkilerini ve koruyucu önlemlerin sağlık risklerini azaltmadaki potansiyel rolünü araştırmak için daha fazla çalışmanın önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Boks, Elektrofizyoloji, Travmatik Beyin Hasarı

References

• Angelakis, E., Lubar, J.F., Stathopoulou, S., & Kounios, J. (2004). Peak alpha frequency: an electroencephalographic measure of cognitive preparedness. Clin Neurophysiol. 115:887–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2003.11.034
• Brooks, M. A., Bazarian, J. J., Prichep, L. S., Dastidar, S. G., Talavage, T. M., & Barr, W. (2018). The Use of an Electrophysiological Brain Function Index in the Evaluation of Concussed Athletes. The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation, 33(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000328
• Busse, E.W., & Silverman, A.J. (1952). Electroencephalographic changes in professional boxers. Journal of the American Medical Association, 149(17), 1522–1525. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1952.02930340006003
• Da Broi, M., Al Awadhi, A., Voruz, P., Nouri, A., & Schaller, K. (2023). The spectrum of acute and chronic consequences of neurotrauma in professional and amateur boxing - A call to action is advocated to better understand and prevent this phenomenon. Brain & spine, 4, 102743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bas.2023.102743
• Donnelly, R. R., Ugbolue, U. C., Gao, Y., Gu, Y., Dutheil, F., & Baker, J. S. (2023). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Investigating Head Trauma in Boxing. Clinical journal of sport medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, 33(6), 658–674. https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000001195
• Electroencephalographic Changes in Boxers. (1982 Volume 19 No. 1 p.287-294). Korea Univercity Medical Journal. http://en.medric.or.kr/Main.aspx?menu=01&d=KMBASE&m=VIEW&i=0352519820190010287
• Fisch, B. J. (1991). Spehlmann’s EEG Primer. 2nd Revised and Enlarged Edition. Published by Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. ELSEVIER.
• Förstl, H., Haass, C., Hemmer, B., Meyer, B., & Halle, M. (2010). Boxing-acute complications and late sequelae: from concussion to dementia. DtschArzteblInt, 107:835–9. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2010.0835
• Gonzalez-Escamilla, G., Atienza, M., Garcia-Solis, D., & Cantero, J. L. (2016). Cerebral and blood correlates of reduced functional connectivity in mild cognitive impairment. Brain structure & function, 221(1), 631–645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-014-0930-6
• Gökmen, N., Öniz, A., Erdoğan, U., Akkan, T., Özkurt, A., & Özgören, M. (2009). Spinal cerrahi operasyonlarında EEG monitörlemesini etkileyen işitsel ve elektromanyetik gürültünün irdelenmesi. Journal of Neurological Sciences [Turkish], 26:(4) 21: 472- 483.
• Holmes, P., Collins, D., & Calmels, C. (2006). Electroencephalographic functional equivalence during observation of action. Journal of Sport Science, 605-616. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410500244507
• Jann, K., Koenig, T., Dierks, T., Boesch, C., & Federspiel, A. (2010). Association of individual resting state EEG alpha frequency and cerebral blood flow. Neuroimage. 51:365–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.02.024
• Johns, P. (2014). Chapter 12 - Dementia. Clinical Neuroscience, Pages 145-162. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-10321-6.00012-6
• Johnson J. (1969). The EEG in the traumatic encephalopathy of boxers. Psychiatria clinica, 2(4), 204–211. https://doi.org/10.1159/000278571
• Johnson, J. (1969). Organic psychosyndrome due to boxing. Br J Psychiatry. 115:43-45. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.115.518.45
• Jordan, B. D., Bennet, A., Gandy, S., Alan, R., Ravdin, R. D., & Norman, R. (2000). Chronic traumatic brain injury associated with boxing. Seminars in Neurology Journal, 20:179- https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-9826
• Klimesch, W. (1999). EEG alpfa and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance: A review and analysis. Brain Res.-Brain Res. Rev, 29, Nos. 2/3, 169-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0173(98)00056-3
• Lejko, N., Larabi, D. I., Herrmann, C. S., Aleman, A., & Ćurčić-Blake, B. (2020). Alpha Power and Functional Connectivity in Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Alzheimer's disease: JAD, 78(3), 1047–1088. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200962
• McKee, A. C., Cantu, R. C., Nowinski, C. J., Hedley-Whyte, E. T., Gavett, B. E., Budson, A. E., Santini, V. E., Lee, H. S., Kubilus, C. A., & Stern, R. A. (2009). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes: progressive tauopathy after repetitive head injury. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology, 68(7), 709–735. https://doi.org/10.1097/NEN.0b013e3181a9d503
• Memmedov, H. (2014). Boks ve kick boks spor müsabakalarının travmatik beyin hasarı oluşturma riskinin laboratuar açısından değerlendirilmesi. Atatürk Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Tıbbi Biyokimya Anabilim Dalı, Yüksek Lisans Tezi.
• Michels, L., Muthuraman, M., Anwar, A. R., Kollias, S., Leh, S. E., Riese, F., Unschuld, P. G., Siniatchkin, M., Gietl, A. F., & Hock, C. (2017). Changes of Functional and Directed Resting-State Connectivity Are Associated with Neuronal Oscillations, ApoE Genotype and Amyloid Deposition in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 9, 304. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00304
• Mizuguchi, M., Ichiyama, T., Imataka, G., Okumura, A., Goto, T., Sakuma, H., Takanashi, J. I., Murayama, K., Yamagata, T., Yamanouchi, H., Fukuda, T., & Maegaki, Y. (2021). Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute encephalopathy in childhood. Brain & development, 43(1), 2–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.braindev.2020.08.001
• Montenigro, P. H., Corp, D. T., Stein, T. D., Cantu, R. C., & Stern, R. A. (2015). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: historical origins and current perspective. Annual review of clinical psychology, 11, 309–330. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032814-112814
• Musaeus, C. S., Engedal, K., Høgh, P., Jelic, V., Mørup, M., Naik, M., Oeksengaard, A. R., Snaedal, J., Wahlund, L. O., Waldemar, G., & Andersen, B. B. (2019). Oscillatory connectivity as a diagnostic marker of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Clinical neurophysiology: official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology, 130(10), 1889–1899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2019.07.016
• Oldfield, R. C. (1971). The Assessment and analysis of handedness: The Edinburgh Inventory. Neuropsychologia, 17-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-3932(71)90067-4
• Rathee, S., Bhatia, D., Punia, V., & Singh, R. (2020). Peak Alpha Frequency in Relation to Cognitive Performance. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 11:416–9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1712585
• Roberts, A. H. (1969). Brain damage in boxers: a study of the prevalence of traumatic encephalopathy among ex-professional boxers. Pitman Medical & Scientific Publishing Co, Ltd.
• Siewe, J., Rudat, J., Zarghooni, K., Sobottke, R., Eysel, P., Herren, C., Knöll, P., Illgner, U., & Michael, J. (2015). Injuries in competitive boxing. A prospective study. International journal of sports medicine, 36(3), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1387764
• Stiller, J. W., & Weinberger, D. R. (1985). Boxing and chronic brain damage. Psychiatr Clin North Am, 8:339–56.
• Stiller, J. W., Yu, S. S., Brenner, L. A., Langenberg, P., Scrofani, P., Pannella, P., Hsu, E. B., Postolache, T. T. (2014). Sparring and neurological function in professional boxers. Front Public Health, 21;2:69. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2014.00069
• Stojsih, S., Boitano, M., Wilhelm, M., & Bir, C. (2010). A prospective study of punch biomechanics and cognitive function for amateur boxers. Br J Sports Med, 44(10), 725-730. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2008.052845
• Svinth, J. R. (2007). Death under the Spotlight: The Manuel Velazquez Boxing Fatality Collection. Journal of Combative Sport. http://ejmas.com/jcs/jcsart_svinth_a_0700.htm
• Temmes, Y., & Huhmar, E. (1952). Electroencephalographic changes in boxers. Acta psychiatrica et neurologica Scandinavica, 27(1-2), 175–180. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1952.tb04650.x
• Thompson, J., Sebastianelli, W., & Slobounov, S. (2005). EEG and postural correlates of mild traumatic brain injury in athletes. Neuroscience letters, 377(3), 158–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2004.11.090
• Zhang, Y., Lu, Y., Wang, D., Zhou, C., & Xu, C. (2021). Relationship between individual alpha peak frequency and attentional performance in a multiple object tracking task among ice hockey players. PLOS ONE 16(5): e0251443. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251443
• Ziółkowski, A., Gorkovenko, A., Pasek, M., Włodarczyk, P., Zarańska, B., Dornowski, M., & Graczyk, M. (2015). EEG Correlates of Attention Concentration in Successful Amateur Boxers. Neurophysiology, 46(5), 422–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11062-015-9468-3