Judo Injuries Frequency in Europe’s Top-Level Competitions in the Period 2005–2020

Abstract

Background: The present study assesses the frequency of injury in Europe’s top-level judokas, during top-level competitions, and defines risk factors. Methods: The members of the EJU Medical Commission collected injury data over the period of 2005 to 2020 using the EJU Injury Registration Form at Europe’s top judoka tournaments. Results: Over the 15 years of the study, 128 top-level competitions with 28,297 competitors were included; 699 injuries were registered. Of all competitors, 2.5% needed medical treatment. The knee (17.4%), shoulder (15.7%), and elbow (14.2%) were the most common anatomical locations of injury. Sprains (42.2%) were by far the most frequent injury type, followed by contusions (23.1%). Of all contestants, 0.48% suffered an injury which needed transportation to hospital. There was a statistically significant higher frequency of elbow injuries in female athletes (p < 0.01). Heavy-weight judokas suffered a remarkably low number of elbow injuries, with more knee and shoulder injuries. Light-weight judokas were more prone to elbow injuries. Conclusions: We found there was a low injury rate in top-level competitors, with a greater frequency of elbow injuries in female judokas. During the 15 years of injury collection data, an injury incidence of 2.5% was found, with a remarkable high injury rate in the women’s −52 kg category, and statistically significantly more elbow injuries in women overall.

Monitoring of Eccentric Hamstring Strength and Eccentric Derived Strength Ratios in Judokas from a Single Weight Category

“…This indicates that eccentrically acting H has the ability to break the action of the concentrically contracting Q, meaning that this helps reduce the tibia’s anterior displacement on the femur and prevent hyperextension of the knee [ 46 ], thus protecting overstraining of ACL. The knee is the most frequently injured site in judo [ 32 ], with an ACL tear being the most frequent cause [ 33 ]. The ACL is also the most serious knee injury in judo [ 48 ].…”

“…Therefore, there is a great necessity in judo to measure ECC performance. This is especially true for ECC hamstring strength, which is essential for dynamic knee joint stabilization [ 31 ] and prevention of knee and, in particular, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, which are the most common injuries in judo (17.4%) based on the recent extensive injury analysis in judo from 2005 to 2020 on 128 top-level judo competitions [ 32 , 33 ]. ECC hamstring strength is used to calculate the Dynamic Control Ratio (DCR) [ 7 , 34 ] or, as sometimes called, the dynamic functional ratio (ECC antagonist/CON agonist) [ 15 , 35 ].…”

A Systematic Review on the Biomechanics of Breakfall Technique (Ukemi) in Relation to Injury in Judo within the Adult Judoka Population

“…Furthermore, in comparison to other combat sports such as boxing, taekwondo and wrestling, judo had the highest injury rate; this warrants investigation [ 4 ]. Common injuries include strains, sprains and contusions of the knee, shoulders and fingers [ 3 , 5 ]. Less frequent are injuries affecting the brain and spinal cord, such as acute subdural haematoma (ASDH); however, they are more prevalent in young and novice judokas [ 6 , 7 ].…”

A Novel Approach to Safe Special Fitness Testing in Judo Players

“…A study using a dummy equipped with sensors showed significant accelerations of the head on contact with tatami after performing osoto-gari and ouchi-gari throws (50,51). Such microtrauma is similar to repeated blows to the head as in a boxing fight and can lead to damage to the brain and cervical spine (52,53). The exposure of uke's brain to the acceleration associated with uke's rotation during the throw was also studied for various tai-otoshi, seoi-nage, osoto-gari and ouchi-gari techniques.The highest mean accelerations were reported for osoto-gari and the lowest for seoi-nage (54).…”