Injuries in youth taekwondo athletes

Youth participation in Taekwondo is a beneficial activity. However, while research shows it may carry high risks of injury and adverse developmental effects compared to other sports, very few studies investigated its effects on children and youths. This study investigated the epidemiology and injury incidence rates in youth taekwondo. This study hypothesized higher incidence of lower extremity injuries vis-à-vis cervical injuries, greater proportion of overuse injuries and higher injury rates in post-pubertal athletes. 194 valid responses (Variable: Mean (S.D.); Age: 11.3 (2.78)y; Height: 146.9 (18.9)cm; Weight: 40.5 (13.9)kg; BMI: 18.2 (3.33) Training Age: 38.8 (26.7)mo; Practices/week: 1.5 (0.938); Training duration: 1.61 (0.3925)h) of child and youth taekwondo athletes were collected using questionnaires adapted from the NCAA Collegiate Athlete Association Injury Surveillance System using NCAA definitions of injury. 11 main coaches of various classes responded using separate coach questionnaires. Responses were analysed using Fisher’s Exact Tests and Binary Logistic Regression. Injury incidence rates (IIRs) per 1000 athlete-exposures (A-E) were found to be lower than comparative studies (9.27 (7.69, 11.1) vs 11.8 (10.4, 13.4) respectively) but higher per 1000 athlete-exposure hours (8.30 (6.88, 9.92) vs 7.1 (6.2, 8.0) respectively). Trends showed highest incidence in lower extremity injuries vis-à-vis cervical injuries (62.5% vs 1.66%). Logistic regression tests showed age and training age were predictive of injury risk, increasing odds ratio by 1.42 and 1.02 per unit increase in age and training age. Overuse injuries accounted for only 14.2% of all injuries. Future studies could examine qualitative coach traits and practices on injury risk. Keywords: Injury epidemiology, taekwondo, youth athletesBachelor of Science (Sport Science and Management