{"id":49586,"date":"2024-02-06T20:59:52","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T20:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/?page_id=49586"},"modified":"2026-08-03T20:28:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:28:33","slug":"concussion-head-injury-management-in-martial-arts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bmaba.org.uk\/clubs\/uk-martial-arts-association-governing-body-instructor-membership\/concussion-head-injury-management-in-martial-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Concussion & Head Injury Management In Martial Arts"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSector Leading<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Concussion & head injury.
Managed properly.<\/em><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Setting the gold-standard protocols for safety in martial arts, with expert-led policy, real-time tools and first-of-their-kind training. Recognised across the UK, and trusted under pressure.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin Free<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe CHIMA Award →<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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Safety, Embedded In How We Govern<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Martial arts should build discipline, confidence and resilience, and safety must be embedded in that journey. At BMABA, concussion and head injury management is not an afterthought or a reactive measure: it’s a structured, evidence-informed system built into how we govern and support our clubs. Our comprehensive Concussion and Head Injury Management Policy is designed specifically for the realities of martial arts training and competition, practical, accessible and applicable across styles. Policy alone isn’t enough, though, so we’ve invested in the infrastructure that turns standards into action: sector-leading training, first-of-its-kind Return-to-Participation software, and external clinical review at the highest level.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tIndependent Clinical Review<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Reviewed & Approved By Professor Mike Loosemore MBE<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Lead Consultant Sports Physician at the UK Sports Institute, and Professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine at University College London’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our Concussion and Head Injury Management Policy, specifically, has been independently reviewed by Professor Loosemore. He confirmed he was happy to approve the policy, and considered it capable of withstanding scrutiny from a panel of his peers. That level of independent clinical review strengthens the medical integrity of the framework every BMABA club operates under, and it’s a standard of external validation that remains rare anywhere in grassroots sport.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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Why Concussion Management Matters<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

Head injuries aren’t just a risk in the ring. They happen in grappling, takedowns, sparring drills and routine training, and concussion remains one of the most misunderstood, under-managed risks in martial arts, with consequences that can be lifelong.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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1<\/span>

Governance & Expertise<\/h3>

A national concussion and head injury policy framework, written by experts, independently clinically reviewed, and recognised as a UK sector leader.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

2<\/span>

The CHIMA Award<\/h3>

The first concussion qualification of its kind for independent martial arts, already completed by more than 1,000 clubs.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

3<\/span>

Return-to-Play Tracking<\/h3>

On-the-night triage tools and automated Return-to-Play tracking, built directly into our free Club Management Platform.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

4<\/span>

Regulated & Respected<\/h3>

Certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 under UKAS accreditation, operating to FCA standards, trusted by 6,500+ instructors.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tA Story We’re Proud To Tell<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t

We Didn’t Wait To Be Asked. We Never Have.<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t
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2022<\/span>

Protocols In Place<\/h3>

Long before concussion reached the national conversation, we had comprehensive concussion protocols in place across our membership, because safety was never an optional extra.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

2023<\/span>

CHIMA Launches<\/h3>

We self-funded and launched the UK’s first Concussion & Head Injury Management Award for independent martial arts. Over one thousand clubs completed concussion training through us, more than a year before the issue ever made headlines.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

2025<\/span>

Stepping Forward For Events<\/h3>

After the tragic death of a teenager in the ring, we chose to extend beyond grassroots recreational provision and put ourselves forward for event oversight: launching the Event Hub with full compliance built in, dedicated Concussion Officers at every event, PASA safety advocates, and free event insurance.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Today<\/span>

Shaping The National Standard<\/h3>

We’ve since spoken with DCMS on multiple occasions and with Sport England, providing feedback on the work we’re doing to keep events safe and to put concussion safety training front and centre. When the media needed a trusted voice on concussion in martial arts, they came to us, and through our seat on the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group, that voice keeps working for every club.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tBe Part Of It, Free<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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The CHIMA Award: Concussion Training Built For Martial Arts<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Concussion & Head Injury Management Award is the first of its kind for independent martial arts, and it remains the sector’s leading concussion qualification. Delivered entirely online through our digital learning platform and mapped to CIMSPA professional standards, it equips instructors, assistants and club leaders to recognise concussion symptoms, assess risk, respond appropriately to suspected traumatic brain injury in training, sparring or competition, communicate clearly with families, and reduce long-term risk.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

More than 1,000 clubs have already completed it, and it’s included free with membership, even for free affiliates.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tExplore The CHIMA Award<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\"The\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t

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Return-to-Participation, Tracked Properly<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Our dynamic Return-to-Participation tracking, the first of its kind in UK martial arts, turns policy into daily practice. Built into the free Club Management Platform, it lets you log any student needing time out and then guides them through the structured return-to-play process step by step, aligned with current best-practice medical guidance, with on-the-night triage reporting to flag serious concerns the moment they occur. And because reporting is centralised, our team can see where clubs need help and step in with expert support, at no extra cost.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t