Incidence and Mechanism of Acute Injuries in IranianProfessional Men Taekwondo Competitors in 2008 Super League

Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts in world. The aim of this study was to investigate theincidence and mechanism of acute injuries in professional men Taekwondo competitors in Iranian 2008super league.

70 senior professional men Taekwondo competitors (age:22.4 ± 3.6 years, height: 178.8 ± 7.4 cm,weight: 70.8± 10.4 kg) who participated in Taekwondo super League competitions involved in thisstudy. By an injury record form that was made by researchist and by helps of team´s physician andphysiotherapist, data was collected and recorded. Variables such as incidence, location, causes andmechanism of injury were considered and recorded after competitions. Statistical analyses of Chi Squarewere used to processing of the data.

The results of this study showed that in 56 team's matches (448 individuals matches( , 133 injuriesoccurred, totally. Injury rate (IR) was 148.4 per 1000 athlete exposure competition or 4.45 per 100minutes’ matches. More injuries occurred at lower extremities (68.4 percent), ( 2 = 18, p<0.05). Foot wasthe most common injured area (89 cases), ( 2 = 10, p<0.05). The contusion was the main injuries (30cases) ( 2  = 29.4, p<0.05). Previous injury, opponent technical mistake and athlete were the main causesof injuries ( 2  = 8.4, p>0.05).

In conclusion, men Taekwondo competitors had more injuries in lower extremities than upperextremities and contusion and previous injury were as the most common type and the main causes ofinjuries (respectively). So, improving physical fitness level, decreasing technical mistake and usingqualified protective pads and safe equipment’s, rules modification are the best ways to minimize injuriesin Taekwondo competitors; then the urgency of some changes in rules to reduce the injuries are clear.