Combat sport injuries profile: A review

Abstract

Summary Objectives The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the injury location, injury diagnosis, injury risk factors and injury prevention among practitioners of different combat sports. News This review was conducted using databases of MEDLINE (via Pubmed), Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar. The studies concerned were classified according to the nature of the combat sports and the type of the injury by three authors using the titles, abstracts and full texts if available. Data from different observational studies suggest that there is a significant injury problem in combat sport in general because the main goal of the practitioners is to strike and/or to project opponent with maximal power and speed in order to win. This exposes them to permanent risk of injuries, which limit usually training effects, provoke disability conditions with competitiveness loss and often ruin their careers. However, it varies considerably across different styles. Researchers used retrospective and prospective method to explore specificity of injury but little is known about the actual severity of injuries in combat sports. Prospects and projects Future studies are highly encouraged to adopt stronger methodologies. The long-term consequences of injuries, a detailed balance sheet by nature of injury and specific preventive strategies are needed to support the findings presented in this review. Conclusion In this review, a preliminary injury profiles in combat sports was established containing location and types of injuries. Compared to other sports, combat sports are no more dangerous especially for beginner practitioners.