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Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(01): 54-58
DOI: 10.1055/a-1021-1776
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Injury Incidence Rates and Profiles in Elite Taekwondo during Competition and Training

Markus Geßlein
1   Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg
,
Johannes Rüther
1   Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg
,
Hermann Josef Bail
1   Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg
,
Philipp Schuster
1   Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg
2   Orthopedic Hospital Markgröningen, Centre for Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Markgröningen, Germany
,
Werner Krutsch
3   Departement of Traumatology, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
,
Alexander Karl Wolpert
1   Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Private Medical University Nuremberg, Nuremberg
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 17 September 2019

Publication Date:
20 November 2019 (online)

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate exposure adjusted injury incidence rates and profiles associated with training and competition in an elite taekwondo athlete population. 82 athletes were investigated for injuries over a period of 5 years. Individual fight time exposure for training and competition was recorded. The type and location of the injuries were classified and exposure-adjusted injury incidence rates (IIR) were calculated per 1000 h for training and competition. 66 athletes with a mean age of 19.3±4.2 years and 172 injuries were included in the final data assessment. The exposure adjusted IIR was significantly higher during competition (p<0.001) with a rate ratio of 6.33 (95% CI 4.58–8.69). Ankle and foot region as well as hand and wrist were most affected with significant higher IIR in competition (p<0.001). Joint injuries, fractures, and bruising occurred the most. Fractures occurred mainly to the hand and wrist region. Future investigations should focus on exposure adjusted injury data including analyses of the detailed mechanism leading to especially severe injuries to improve specific injury prevention in competition and promote evolution of protective gear.

Key words

taekwondo - athletic injuries - martial arts - hand injuries - ankle injuries
 

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