Fracture Injuries in Adult Korean Taekwondo Sparring Athletes

PURPOSE: Fractures are common among Taekwondo-sparring athletes, yet little research has been conducted on these injuries in adult athletes. This study aimed to examine fracture injuries and post-fracture management practices in Taekwondo sparring athletes, with an emphasis on comparing lightweight and heavyweight classes.METHODS: Data were collected through interviews with 182 adult taekwondo sparring athletes in Korea (95 males and 85 females). The athletes were divided into lightweight and heavyweight groups based on the weight class in which they competed.RESULTS: Approximately 58.3% of the participants experienced taekwondo-related fractures, with heavyweight players having a significantly higher rate than lightweight players (χ²=3.987, p=.036). Overall, Taekwondo-related fractures occurred most frequently in the hand region during defensive maneuvers, and were caused by contact mechanisms. Fractures were more common among heavyweight athletes during competition and among lightweight athletes during training (χ²=6.395, p=.011). Heavyweight players were more likely to undergo surgery after fractures, whereas lightweights were more likely to receive conservative treatment (χ²=4.270, p=.039). Approximately half of the players (51.4%) returned to play after their fractures without a confirmed diagnosis of bone union, and the most common post-fracture psychological distress was fear of reinjury (57.2%).CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest that the fracture injury characteristics among elite Taekwondo-sparring athletes vary according to weight class, emphasizing the importance of injury prevention and management programs tailored to each specific weight class.