Former UFC Fighter Julie Kedzie Commits To Brain Donation For Research Purposes
Julie Kedzie has been dealing with a lot since she retired. Back in 2013, she left the UFC, and life after mixed martial arts brought her many health challenges. Things like anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, being super active, and acting on impulse started to bother her.
These symptoms might be chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). It’s a brain problem that comes from getting hit in the head a lot, like from concussions. CTE shows up slowly and leads to dementia; but doctors can only say for sure when it’s at an advanced stage.
During her time in the ring, Kedzie had 29 matches. Out of them, she won 16 and lost 13. She decided to quit after four back-to-back losses. Two of them were in the UFC. She is now 42 years old and dealing with the fallout from her career. She now intends to donate her brain for study once she dies.
In an interview, Kedzie says giving her brain for research makes sense, considering all the hits she took. She sees it as a terrific method to gather vital information and enhance mixed martial arts, particularly for women. If you’re into MMA and sports betting, you can check out more at https://ggbet.city/tl-ph.
Many athletes from different sports donate their brains to groups like the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) because they want to understand the risks. When CLF started looking into things in 2007, only 45 cases of CTE were confirmed worldwide. Over 10,000 people, including Kedzie, have taken part in their studies.
Females Should Take The Initiative In Driving This Transformation
The realm of elite MMA is relatively new, especially when juxtaposed with boxing. The scarcity of individuals for research has presented challenges for medical experts in comprehending the lasting effects of repeated head traumas. Out of the initial 1,000 brains examined by the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF); only 10 had a background in martial arts, and the majority were men.
Julie Kedzie emphasizes the need to expand knowledge, particularly for female athletes. While numerous research has conducted on the brains of male athletes; there is a lack of information on how head traumas may impact female athletes differently. Kedzie’s choice to donate her brain stems from her desire to fill this need; and share ideas from the perspective of a female athlete.
Scientists have yet to determine if chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) manifests differently depending on gender. An Australian Rules footballer, Heather Anderson, was analyzed recently. She was diagnosed with CTE after committing suicide at the age of 28. We still need to learn more about these challenges.
Dr. Chris Nowinski emphasizes the need to bring about change in women’s sports, emphasizing that Heather Anderson’s case is not unique. He believes that to accelerate cultural changes in sports safety standards, women should actively participate in talks, exchange knowledge, and learn from men’s experiences. More knowledge and open communication will aid in the smooth transition of how head injuries handled in women’s sports.
Knowledge Has Expanded
Julie Kedzie has observed a shift in attitudes and awareness regarding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) within the MMA community since her active participation in the sport. Roxanne Modafferi, who retired after 45 fights spanning 19 years, recently shared on social media that her father was the sole individual who highlighted the dangers of CTE before she embarke on her fighting career. Kedzie notes a substantial expansion in the knowledge base surrounding CTE, attributing part of this progress to increased attention from the UFC’s Performance Institute (PI).
Expressing her discontent with the UFC, Kedzie acknowledges the strides made by the Performance Institute in tackling CTE research. The PI in Las Vegas is a dedicated facility offering fighters comprehensive medical care, strength and conditioning, sports science, nutritional support, and sports psychology services. Dr. Duncan French, the PI’s senior vice president, underscores the UFC’s responsibility to its roster of 650-670 athletes and those involved at different levels.
Dr. French is serious about player safety. He talks about a five-stage plan for players coming back after a concussion. It has levels and intensity rules. This plan is not a secret—it’s there for all UFC athletes and anyone online to see. The big aim is to change how we think about head injuries. Athletes must know that pushing through things that could mess them up, in the long run, is not cool. The PI is working hard to spread the word and ensure everyone in the sport is aware, skilled, and educated for their well-being.
Cognitive Testing May Become Standard Practice
Cognitive testing might become a regular thing. Before the Performance Institute (PI) started in 2017, the UFC joined forces with the Cleveland Clinic for the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study in 2011.
Approximately 900 combat athletes participated, trying to address the absence of systematic tracking of brain injuries throughout an athlete’s career. The Cleveland Clinic, which focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, collaborates with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, MMA promoter Bellator, and boxing promoters Golden Boy and Top Rank.
Combat sports, according to Dr. Charles Bernick, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic, need to catch up in terms of monitoring and understanding the effects of head trauma. The study findings expected to influence rules and give participants a better awareness of their risks. The UFC, the world’s largest MMA promoter, realizes the need to make positive changes.
Lawrence Epstein, the UFC’s chief operations officer, describes the organization’s ongoing efforts to improve rules and processes. They want all military players to have yearly cognitive exams and MRI scans. Epstein sees a scenario in which athletes who exhibit aberrant changes in brain volume beyond natural variations would barred from competing and forced to retire from the sport.
Conclusion:
Julie Kedzie fully committed to these activities, underlining her genuine passion for the sport and desire to see it prosper. She understands the toll it takes on athletes who stay for an extended period, highlighting the need to keep players safe while chasing success in combat sports.
