Injury Rates Among Elite Wushu Kung-fu Martial Artists And Access To Health Care

Abstract

Wushu Kung-Fu is a worldwide practiced martial art commonly known as “Kung-Fu”. The International Wushu Federation (IWUF) host a world competition every 2 years with more of 1,500 participants from countries all over the worlds. Musculoskeletal injuries are common among elite and amateur athletes of any sport. Access to health care can and might determine their proper treatment and return to sport. PURPOSE: To assess the injuries rate among Elite Wushu Kung-Fu Martial Artists and observe the relationship between access to health care and proper injury treatment. METHODS: One hundred and three athletes (n = 103; Males = 69, Females = 34) completed a survey prior before the 10th World Wushu Championships in China. Out of this sample, 94 were performance athlete (Taolu) and nine were professional fighters (Sanda). RESULTS: Out of the 103 responders, 49.5% reported Ankle injuries, 29.1% Lower Back, 18% reported an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, 18.4 % meniscus, 5.8% of combined ACL and meniscus, 16.5% Patella Tendinopathy, 14.6% leg adductors injuries, 7.8% Medial Collateral Ligament, and 6.8% Lateral Collateral Ligament injuries; from these injuries, only 48.5% reported a serious injury (time to heal > 8 weeks). About 50.5% of these injuries were reported to happened during technical training, 47.6% during jumping maneuvers, 17.5% during the warm-up and strength training, and 11.7% during competition. In terms of medical insurance, 46% reported to have private medical insurance, 29% government insurance, and 25% no insurance at all. In addition, 46.4% reported to have access to a Physical Therapist, and only 53.6% reported no access to Physical Therapist. A chi-squared showed no association between those who have medical insurance (governmental or private), or no medical insurance, and those who have access to proper physical therapy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The great majority of injuries were reported to happen during technical training sessions and jumping maneuvers. The most common injuries sites were the Ankles, Lower back muscles, ACL, and Meniscus. Coaches and athletes might want to look into strategies on how to lower the risk of injuries at these specific sites for Martial Artists.