Call from Hoost, Beztati and Overmeer: take part in this study!

K-1 legend Ernesto Hoost, Glory champion Tyjani Beztati and Glory title contender Jay Overmeer are calling on fellow kickboxers to take part in a new study by Amsterdam UMC (Amsterdam University Medical Centres). The aim is to examine the relationship between mental symptoms and physical injuries and concussions.

A-class and B-class kickboxers are being invited to take part in medical-scientific research. Participation in this study is voluntary.

The researchers want to find out how often psychological symptoms occur among (former) top kickboxers. They also want to know whether there is a relationship with injuries and concussions.

The study has been set up by Amsterdam UMC, AMC location, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. It will be carried out among (former) top kickboxers. Leading kickboxers Hoost, Beztati and Overmeer are calling on colleagues who receive an invitation to take part.

“It is important that research is done into the mental condition of martial arts athletes,” says Ernesto Hoost. “You take blows to the head, that changes something in you and can have consequences.”

Glory’s current lightweight champion, Tyjani Beztati, sees that importance as a still active athlete too. “For us athletes it is extremely important to look after our bodies and to have a check-up from time to time to see whether we are mentally in good shape.”

Martial arts athletes at the highest level must be in good mental and physical condition in order to fight a kickboxing bout. Psychological symptoms and disorders are relatively common among elite athletes. Examples include low mood, panic attacks and eating disorders. They can affect performance. Mental health cannot be viewed separately from physical health. Psychological symptoms can increase the risk of physical injury. Recovery can also be delayed.

“I am very glad that they are researching these kinds of things,” says Jay Overmeer, who will fight for the Glory welterweight world title in June. Together with his fellow athletes he is calling on everyone who receives an invitation to take part in the study, which consists of a questionnaire. Completing it takes about fifteen minutes.

The knowledge this produces will hopefully help to prevent and treat problems among (former) top kickboxers.

Those responsible for the study are:

Sharaisha Bilgoe (researcher carrying out the study)
Prof. dr. G.M.M.J. Kerkhoffs
Prof. dr. V. Gouttebarge

Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Amsterdam UMC, AMC location

Are you, or were you, an A-class or B-class kickboxer and would you like to take part? Please note: there is one questionnaire for active kickboxers and one for former kickboxers. Check carefully that you click the right link: