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Injury Incidence Rates and Profiles in Elite Taekwondo during Competition and Training
Markus Geßlein1, Johannes Rüther1, Hermann Josef Bail1
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|November 21, 2019
Summary
Elite taekwondo athletes sustain injuries more frequently during competition than training. Ankle, foot, hand, and wrist injuries, including fractures, are most common in competition.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Traumatology
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Taekwondo is an elite combat sport with a high risk of injury.
- Understanding injury incidence rates is crucial for athlete safety and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine exposure-adjusted injury incidence rates (IIR) in elite taekwondo athletes.
- To identify injury profiles and common injury locations during training versus competition.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 82 elite taekwondo athletes over 5 years.
- Recording individual fight time exposure for training and competition.
- Classifying injury type, location, and calculating exposure-adjusted IIR per 1000 hours.
Main Results:
- The exposure-adjusted IIR was significantly higher during competition (Rate Ratio = 6.33).
- Ankle, foot, hand, and wrist regions showed significantly higher IIR during competition.
- Joint injuries, fractures, and bruising were the most frequent injury types, with fractures predominantly in the hand/wrist.
Conclusions:
- Competition poses a substantially higher injury risk than training for elite taekwondo athletes.
- Targeted injury prevention strategies and protective gear development are needed, especially for hand/wrist fractures.
- Further research into injury mechanisms is recommended to enhance athlete safety.
