Incidence of sports injuries according to playing style in combat sports

Abstract

BACKGROUND: “Combat Sports” describes a group of sports whose competitive essence consists of direct combat between two competing athletes. AIMS: This study evaluated the incidence of the Sports injuries according to playing style in Combat Sports. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate incidence of sports injuries according to playing style in combat sports by using self-questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Around 178 Combat Sports Players from various sports club across Pune city were approached of which 160 players gave consent to participate in the study. Further 140 players fulfilling inclusion criteria playing with Strike Sports (Taekwondo n = 41, Boxing n = 39) and Non-Strike sports (Judo n = 24, Wrestling n = 31) were selected. Participants were made to fill the Self-made Questionnaire evaluating the Type and Location of injury, Time of injury, Duration for return to Sports Post-injury, and any Psychological issue post injury. RESULTS: Total 91 players (Strike n = 43 and Non-Strike n = 48) mentioned to be suffering from some type of Sports injury. The musculoskeletal injuries were found to be most common in both Strike (52.8%) and Non-Strike Sports (52.1%). In Strike sports 26.6% had Upper and 22.8% Lower limb injuries while in Non-Strike Sports 53.6% had Upper limb and 53.6 had Back injuries. Sprain or strain injuries were common in Strike (25%) and Non-Strike sports (35.1%). The occurrence of injuries during Qualifying events was common in Strike (46%) and Non-Strike sports (46.3%). Only 37.2% of Strike and 37.5% Non-Strike Sports players mentioned of ‘Return to Sports’ after complete recovery. Around 18.5% of Strike sports and 32.1% of Non-Strike sports players suffered psychological issues such as difficulty in engaging exercises. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that Combat Sports Players are more prone to musculoskeletal injuries. Injuries during the Qualifying events are common. Most of the Players returned to sports without complete recovery and have suffered from psychological issues with difficulty in engaging exercises.