Abstract
Background: As with any contact sport, injuries are inevitable. There is limited information regarding karate injuries and associated risk factors in a South African context, especially concerning different karate styles.
Aim: The primary aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among experienced karate practitioners.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional design using a self-administered Google Forms survey. The target population were karateka from various dojos and styles in South Africa. It was aimed at 150 responses for a representative sample. The survey was adapted from previous studies. The survey was composed of 30 questions involving four sections. A statistics program was used to compare data sets to measure statistical significance.
Results: Most participants did Shotokan karate (57%), were black belt 1st dan (26%), have spent 10-14 years on karate training (29%), and trained karate twice per week (36%), for approximately 1 hour (63%) per session. The majority (84%) did not do other forms of martial arts. Most reported injuries were acutely sustained (60%) during training (64%). Most karateka (86%) reported to having sustained between 1-9 injuries. The right knee (9%) was the body region of the highest injury prevalence, and most injuries were sustained by kicks (33%). Injury diagnosis was mainly made by GPs (30%) and treated by physiotherapists (27%). Performance affected was reported with ‘little change’ (42%), and out of training for 1-3 months (22%).
Conclusion: The right knee had the highest injury prevalence. The right side of the body was more prevalent in sustaining injuries. Shotokan karateka reported most of their injuries to their right wrist, both lower legs, and left feet. Low back and left ankle injuries were more prevalent at a certain BMI. The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in experienced karate practitioners is high, with minor injuries. Chiropractors were the least involved healthcare providers.