Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of knuckle protection on the type and incidence of injuries in traditional karate contests. At the individual Danish karate championships in 1983 1986 (240 contests, 0.25 injuries per match) fist pads were mandatory, whereas at the championships in 1984 1985 (220 matches, 0.24 inujuries per match) they were prohibited. Injuries locallized to the head were more common at the tournaments where fist pads were used (0.23 and 0.19 head injuries respectively). The incidences of transitory psychomotor disturbances following blows to the head were comparable. However the pattern of head injuries changed; minor head injuries dominated where fist pads were used (71 compared to 38, p < 0.01) and there were fewer lacerations and fractures. Injuries to the fingers or hands were also fewer - 1.7, compared to 15.1 of all injuries where fist pads were not used. 42 of all injuries at tournaments where fist pads were used, and 12 where fist pads were not used, required some kind of treatment (p < 0.01). Verf.-Referat