Injury profile in woman Shotokan Karate

Injury profile in women Shotokan Karate Championships in Iran (2004-2005) Farzin Halabchi, Vahid Ziaee �� and Sarah Lotfian Sports Medicine Research Center, University of Tehran/Medical Sciences, Iran

Abstract The aims of this paper were to record injury rates among Iranian women competitive Shotokan karate athletes and propose possible predisposing factors. A prospective recording of the injuries

resulting from all matches in 6 consecutive women national Shotokan Karate Championships in all age groups in Iran (season 2004-2005) was performed. Data recorded included demographic characteristics (Age and Weight), athletic background (rank, years of experience, time spent training and previous injuries), type, location and reason for the injury, and the result of the match. Results indicate 186 recorded injuries from a total of 1139 bouts involving 1019 athletes, therefore there were 0.163 injury per bout [C.I. 95%: 0.142-0.184] and 183 injuries per 1000 athletes [C.I. 95%: 159-205]. Injuries were most commonly located in the head and neck (55.4%) followed by the lower limb (21%), upper limb (12.9%) and trunk (10.8%).

Punches (48.4%) were associated with more injuries than kicks (33.3%). The injuries consisted of muscle strain and contusion (81, 43.6%), hematoma and epistaxis (49, 26.3%), lacerations and abrasions (28, 15.1%), concussion (13, 7%), tooth avulsion or subluxation (3, 1.6%), joint dislocation (3, 1.6%) and fractures (3, 1.6%). In conclusion, as the majority of injuries are minor, and severe or longstanding injuries are uncommon, it can be argued that shotokan karate is a relatively safe for females, despite its image as a combat sport, where ostensibly the aim appears to injure your opponent. Further research is needed to

evaluate the effective strategies to minimize the risk of injuries. Key words: Karate, martial arts, athletic injuries, risk factors, safety, sports.

Introduction

Participation in the martial arts has increased dramatically over the past 15 to 20 years (Oler et al., 1991; Pieter and Lufting, 1994). Karate is one of the most widespread martial arts and the Japanese word “karate”, meaning empty hand (kara = empty, te = hand), describes the property of this sport involving the use of punches, kicks and blocking techniques without the use of weapons. Shotokan karate is one of the oldest styles of karate and was first publicly demonstrated in Japan in 1922 by its modern day founder Funakoshi, though it had originated from the Japanese island of Okinawa in 16th century (Stricevic et

al., 1983). Shotokan karate is among the more popular art forms, with a conservative estimate of 2 million participants worldwide (Oler et al., 1991). Shotokan karate is considered noncontact, in which punches and kicks must be controlled (without injury to the opponent) or stopped before contact with the opponent’s body. Correctly executed techniques to the head or trunk are scored. For uncontrolled punches and kicks, the competitor receives a penalty and the opponent wins a point. Sparring in tournaments is often more aggressive, therefore mouth guards and lightweight sparring gloves are worn (Violan et al.,

1997). Modern non-contact karate tournament competitions consist of two disciplines: kata and kumite. Kata is a set combination of techniques which are practiced with imaginary opponents, and kumite is the term used for sparring with an opponent and ranges from prearranged moves for beginners to “free fighting” for experienced practitioners and for use in competitions (Frederic, 1995). Other benefits to competing in karate include, improved flexibility, strength, and balance (Violan et al., 1997), increases agility, and decreases reaction time (Layton 1993). It also is proposed to enhance qualities such as respect, politeness, discipline, concentration, patience, power of observation and self-confidence (Fetto, 1994; Daniels and Thornton 1990; Daniels and Thornton, 1992). Increasing numbers of women are taking part in martial arts in order to maintain fitness and provide skills for self-defence all around the world (Zetaruk et al., 2005). In Iran, the popularity of martial arts including Shotokan karate is more evident among women, because they can join in this sport without contravening their Islamic beliefs regarding use of covered garment and scarf and so they can participate in national and sometimes international sports events. As a martial art, Shotokan karate may be perceived as carrying a high risk of injury as the aim is to strike the opponent. Although several articles regarding karate injuries have been published, although the generalisability of findings is limited by the research design used. Studies include case reports (Arriaza et al., 1990; Ortu et al., 2006) and retrospective studies (Birrer and Halbrook, 1988; Zetaruk et al., 2000a; Destombe et al., 2006; Tuominen 1995). Research into the injury and karate performance is relatively widespread with some studies conducted in training (Zetaruk et al., 2000b) and others in competition (Muller-Rath et al., 2000; Stricevic et al., 1983; Macan et al., 2006). Further, some studies have compared injury risk in a range of martial arts and not only karate (Birrer, 1996; Birrer and Halbrook, 1988) or compared the injury risk of karate with other martial arts(Zetaruk et al., 2005; Oler et al., 1991). Despite the number of studies, it is proposed a consistent pattern of results

does not exist. The aim of the present study was to document the injury rate and patterns in Iranian women competitive Shotokan karate athletes participating in 6 diverse national championship events during the season (2004-2005).

History of Karate

Karate is a fighting system which uses the hands and feet to deliver blows, kicks andstrikes with great power. The art of Shotokan has been practised for many years. The name Karate means empty hand, a phrase which tries to express the idea that karate needs neither external weapons nor thoughts of violence. The name Karate-Do means the way of Karate and is a method of teaching which develops the mind as well as the body.

Modern Karate has its origins in Okinawa, an island in the East China Sea 500 miles south of Japan. In 1477, following a period of political turbulence, the king of Okinawa, Sho Shin, banned the carrying of weapons by anyone on the island. As a result of this ban the islanders developed a secret system of unarmed combat known as Okinawan-Te, the word Te meaning hands. Over the following years, Okinawan-Te developed into three distinct styles around the three main towns of Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Although they are quite close together, the karate styles they produced were quite different. All modern karate styles have as there
origins, one or a combination of these three styles. Although the practice of Karate was at first forbidden, it was later taught openly and was even introduced into schools. Okinawa's Japanese overlords were impressed by Karate and asked the Okinawans to arrange a number of demonstrations. They did this using a
school teacher named Gichin Funakoshi. Master Funakoshi had studied under two different Karate Instructors (Master Azato and Master Itosu) and was a dedicated and talented Karateka. Gichin Funakoshi successfully promoted karate on the Japanese mainland and eventually established a permanent training centre he named The Shotokan from which Shotokan Karate derives its name. The Original Shotokan Dojo
During the years following Master Funakoshi's demonstration in 1915, other Okinawan Masters travelled to Japan and in doing so, introduced to the world an effective system of unarmed hand to hand combat.
Although karate, like many other things has had to change over the years, its fundamental principles have stood the test of time. Today, students of the art will practice many of the techniques that would have been taught many years ago.