Comparisons of musculoskeletal injuries among three different modalities of Taekwondo (Kyorugi, Poomsae, and Shibum): a one-year follow-up prospective epidemiologic study

The purpose of the study was to report the injury rates and characteristics (body location, type, mechanism, and severity) of musculoskeletal injuries in Kyorugi, Poomsae, and Shibum. A total of 137 Korean collegiate Taekwondo players–Kyorugi (n = 44), Poomsae (n = 46), and Shibum (n = 47)–were prospectively studied in 2019. Injury rates per 1,000 athlete-exposures (AEs) and time-exposures (TEs) during training and competition were calculated. Additionally, body location, type, mechanism, and severity of injury were analysed. The highest injury rate was recorded in Poomsae (172.0/1,000 AEs and 79.5/1,000 TEs) followed by Kyorugi (47.1/1,000 AEs and 25.9/1,000 TEs) and Shibum (57.5/1,000 AEs and 17.0/1,000 TEs). The frequently injured body location was the thigh (Kyorugi = 17%; Poomsae = 25%; Shibum = 18%). The common injury types were muscle cramps/spasms in Kyorugi (33%) and Poomsae (59%), and sprain in Shibum (41%). The common injury mechanisms were gradual onset in Kyorugi (40%) and Shibum (49%), and non-contact trauma in Poomsae (91%). Regarding the severity, the number of days from the injury onset to recovery > 1 week were higher in the order of Kyorugi (78%), Shibum (54%), and Poomsae (28%). Our data provide preliminary evidence that different injury prevention strategies should be applied to each modality of Taekwondo.