A Study on Origins and Incidence of Sport-Related Injuries and Possibilities for Prophylaxis in Bulgarian Elite Karate Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Sport-related traumatism is a major obstacle in the development of athletic mastery and has the possibility for a long-term negative impact on the health of all involved. Karate, as a confrontation on full contact, is expected to predispose its participants to certain injuries, therefore one of the main concerns for doctors in the field of sports medicine will be the prevention of injuries. The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between the factors for emergence and progression of sport-related injuries, gained in either training sessions or competitions, in our elite Karate fighters of both sexes and formulate recommendations for possible reduction of the most serious among them. Methods and methodology of the study: A traumatism-based survey formulated and conducted by the author on 22 Elite Bulgarian Shotokan Karate athletes, the results of which are referenced to those of the international Karate competitors derived from literature sources. The survey presented a ground map of traumatism for the Bulgarian competitors, in which the main chosen trait is the anatomical topology of sustained injuries. Results and analysis: The study confirmed that Karate fighters with lower degree of fighting proficiency and shorter contest experience are more likely to sustain self-inflicted injuries as a result of weaker dynamic muscle stabilization while performing an attack. The resulting increase in injuries in 1 to 3 Kyu fighters is mainly explained by the increase in fighting confidence compared to the elite Karate contestants. While executing the technique the player should seek more of the control than the combat effectiveness of his attack-a critical step in the development of fighting behavior and proper competitive training of our most promising 1-3 Kyu Karate athletes.

Importance of the Kinematic Characteristics of Mae Geri Fighting Technique for Sport-Related Injuries in Bulgarian Karate Shotokan Athletes

“…Our own experience and work on traumatism among Bulgarian Karate-Shotokan fighters presented a different picture: our own fighters lead their international colleagues in a positive aspect in terms of all trauma data (Zagorsky, 2019). Here, our fighters stand out on multiple levels: out of 17 injuries (39%), 9 are relatively serious, of which only two are located in the knee region, and other two-are fractures (lateral maleolus and big toe).…”