The Characteristic of Injuries Among Combat Sport Athletes in Particular Disciplines

Abstract

Background. The frequency of related injuries is growing. Traumas affect people of all ages, both professionals and amateurs. However, they vary and their characteristics differ significantly depending on the discipline.

Aim. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the variability in injury patterns across different combat sports to improve athletes’ safety and contributing to the mitigation of injury risk in combat sports,

Material and methods. We analyzed over 40 scientific articles contained in the PubMed database. We related the collected data to parameters such as specific discipline, gender, age, injury mechanism, location, and, in some cases, required treatment and presented the results in the form of paragraphs.

Results. In Taekwon-do and Judo injuries mostly occurred in lower limbs. mainly in knees. In karate mostly refer to foot and ankle. Hands were mostly injured in Boxing. MMA competitors mostly experienced wrists and hands traumas. Head injuries occurred most often in Boxing, Kickboxing, Karate, MMA. Many of those traumas were connected with neck injuries. In TKD there were mainly joint sprains or dislocations. Soft tissue contusion was the most common in boxing. Most common in kickboxing were lacerations and fractures. In Karate mostly occurred contusions and lacerations. MMA injuries were mostly: lacerations/abrasions, fractures, nerve injuries.

Conclusions. Injuries in combat sports are a very broad and diverse issue. Particulars disciplines show many similarities in this regard, but also differ significantly in terms of specific parameters. The characteristics of injuries in combat sports should be carefully analyzed based on a division into disciplines which may increase the safety of athletes.