Male boxers in Glasgow will be able to fight without head guards for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

Head guards were first introduced for all international amateur competitions shortly before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and have been in force for 30 years.

However, recent research has shown that they may in fact cause more damage to boxers, which has led to the authorities to allow the male competitors at Glasgow 2014 to fight without the padded protection.

Doctor Mike Loosemore, from the English Institute of Sport, told the Daily Mail: "Evidence has found that, when they introduced head guards in 1984, the number of head injuries increased. The number has actually decreased since head guards have been removed.

"The style of boxing has changed a little bit because the boxers' heads are not getting quite so close and I think it's made it a bit more interesting to watch. It's a positive development.

"The boxing's better without the head guards and it's reducing the number of head injuries, which is low in this sport anyway."

Female boxers in Glasgow are still required to wear head guards.