Impacts of Knockout and Fainting Caused by Submission Techniques in Students of the Martial Arts Academy “8 Armas” in the City of Portoviejo.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the physical, neurological, and psychological impacts of knockouts (K.O.) and submission-induced syncope on practitioners at the “8 Armas” Martial Arts Academy in Portoviejo. Methodology: A qualitative approach with a phenomenological design was employed. Through purposive sampling, nine experienced athletes (6 men, 3 women) who had suffered loss of consciousness (LOC) were selected. Data collection was conducted via semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts. Results: The participants' testimonies revealed a tri-phasic experience: an initial event (impact/choke), an altered state of consciousness (e.g., "blackouts," vivid dreams), and a recovery period with transient neurological symptoms such as numbness (66.7%), headaches, disorientation, and amnesia. Quantitative data showed that 100% had experienced syncope by chokehold, yet 33.3% had not received information on injury risks and felt unprepared. Conclusions: The results confirm that these events constitute minor traumatic brain injuries with immediate functional consequences. A critical gap was identified between the inherent risks of the sport and the formal education athletes receive on prevention and safety, underscoring an urgent need for structured risk awareness protocols within martial arts academies.