Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
M.SC. Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise, Department of Sport Sciences and Health, ShahidmBeheshti University Faculty, Tehran, Iran
2
Associate Professor, Department of Health and Rehabilitation in Sport, Faculty of Health and Sport Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22084/rsr.2024.29212.1737
Abstract
Background and Aim: Determining the incidence rate and mechanism of injuries is essential for preventing sports injuries. Despite the prominent status of Iranian taekwondo in the global stage, there is little information about the incidence of injuries among elite Iranian taekwondo athletes in official competitions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the incidence rate and mechanism of sports injuries in the selection competitions of the Iranian national taekwondo team for the 2024 Olympic quota competitions.
Methods: This prospective cohort study recorded all injuries during the Iranian national taekwondo team’s selection competitions held in Tehran over eight days (23rd December to 1st January 2024). The injuries were documented using an injury recording form by the medical staff present at the competitions. A total of 1327 athletes (697 men and 630 women) competed in the adult category (17 years old and above) to directly enter the Iranian national team camp, with 1311 matches held. An event was recorded as an injury when the athlete could not continue the competition due to a sports injury.
Results: Among the 1,327 athletes, 36 injuries were recorded (2.73 injuries per 100 athletes, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56 - 3.9). Males had a higher risk of sustaining injuries (incidence rate ratio: 1) compared to females (incidence rate ratio: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24-0.98). The most common injury sites, types, and mechanisms were lower extremities (n = 20, 55.55%), rupture/strain/tendinosis (n = 10, 27.8%), and contact with another athlete (n = 27, 75%).
Conclusion: Most injuries in these competitions occurred in the lower limbs, particularly as ligament injuries in the knee. The injury patterns identified in these competitions highlight the need for injury prevention models, such as the Van Mechelen model. It is crucial to consider injury patterns from epidemiological studies and identify risk factors to develop effective injury prevention protocols.
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