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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
In Vivo Protocol of Controlled Subconcussive Head Impacts for the Validation of Field Study Data
Published on: April 18, 2019
Incidence study of head blows and concussions in competition taekwondo
1Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. sunshinejkoh@hanmail.net
Objective:
To examine the incidence of head blows and concussions in competition taekwondo.
Design:
Incidence cohort design.
Setting:
Taekwondo tournament in 2001, in South Korea.
Participants:
A total of 2328 competitors (female, 676; male, 1652; age, 11-19 years) from 424 schools participated in the tournament. All recipients of head blows were interviewed immediately after the match. All matches were recorded on videotape.
Main Outcome Measures:
Head blow and concussion rates were calculated. Also, factors associated with head blows and concussions were analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of head blows and concussions was 226 and 50 per 1000 athlete exposures, respectively. Only 17% of competitors reported that they had had a concussion in the last 12 months. A multinomial logistic model showed that head blows and concussions were associated with young age and a lack of blocking skills.
Conclusions:
The incidence of head blows and concussions is high in competition taekwondo. Promoting blocking skills to prevent head blows could decrease concussions in taekwondo.
