Research conducted at George Washington University in the United States concluded that the injury rate in martial arts training is lower than other contact sports like rugby, American football, basketball, and hockey. Most injuries associated with martial arts are aching limbs and lower back pain, which are usually mild to moderate injuries.
Martial arts are systems of defensive and offensive combat movements which includes proper punching, kicking, blocking, and other combative skills. Many people often associate martial arts to violence and brutality. The many forms of martial arts include Karate, Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Yaw-Yan, and Jiu Jitsu.
Common injuries in martial arts may include:
In addition to stretching, martial arts training should also include exercises meant to improve overall conditioning and muscle training before undertaking any comprehensive martial arts training.
· Skin damage– such as bruises and cuts.
· Sprains– Many sprains occur in the ankles, elbows, and other joint areas. Because of improper weight distribution while kicking, many ankle sprains develop.
· Strains– injury to the muscle or tendon. Some muscles may tear from rapid stops that occurs when forceful contact is made with an opponent or object.
· Knee pain injuries– caused by the bent-knee stance typical of most martial arts and the use of forceful kicks that can injure the joint if not done properly.
· Head injuries – head injuries can occur during training or competition because of heavy impacts of punches and kicks in the head area. Wearing high quality helmet and mouth guards is advised among martial artists
· Dislocations and fractures– particularly of the hand, finger, toe and foot.
· Overuse injuries– any part of the body can be injured by sheer repetition of movement.
Martial arts training involve strenuous movements that may put high stress on joints and muscles. In addition to stretching, martial arts training should also include exercises meant to improve overall conditioning and muscle training before undertaking any comprehensive martial arts training. By strengthening the muscles, joints, and coordination, athletes will be able to make martial arts training safer and more injury-free.
Just like physical activities or other sports, there are injuries that can be encountered in martial arts training or competition. Quite surprisingly, the risk of injury from martial arts is lower compared to other contact sports. Research conducted at George Washington University in the United States concluded that the injury rate in martial arts training is lower than other contact sports like rugby, American football, basketball, and hockey. Most injuries associated with martial arts are aching limbs and lower back pain, which are usually mild to moderate injuries.
By warming-up properly, breathing extensively, and wearing necessary equipment, martial artists and athletes can avoid injuries that may hamper the progress of their training and level of competitiveness.
