Epidemiological Study of Rescue Records in University Karate Competitions in Japan

In Japan, Karate is widely practiced as a traditional martial art. In a kumite (contact fighting) competition, as in other martial arts, the outcome of the contest is judged by the effectiveness of punches and kicks, which naturally makes it difficult to prevent injuries. The present retrospective observational study aimed to clarify the epidemiology of injuries sustained by Karate athletes to improve the safety of the sport.

Data on sex, university year, injury site (head and neck, face, trunk, upper limbs, lower limbs), injury type, and examination and treatment details of individuals who were injured while performing Karate were extracted from the rescue records of the Karate competitions of the Kanto University Karate Federation between 2000 and 2014.

Records of 67 tournaments and medical interventions for 597 male and 156 female patients were identified. The number of interventions for injuries to the head and neck, face, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs was 85, 337, 22, 105, and 164, respectively. Sixty-two patients, with 23 and 25 injuries in total to the head and neck area and the face, respectively, required transport by ambulance.

The present study revealed that male competitors suffered more injuries, that the most common site of injury was the face, and that injuries to the head and neck area and the face were most likely to be severe. The high frequency of facial injuries in combat sports warrants greater involvement of plastic surgeons in their treatment and prevention.