Abstract des Autors

There is a paucity of data on taekwondo injuries sustained at all levels of competition and during training. The purpose of the present study was to assess acute injuries at the 1991 Taekwondo World Championships. The focus was on injuries, such as concussions and fractures, most of which will lead to time-loss from participation of one day or more. The injury rate for cerebral concussions for the female taekwondo athletes competing at the 1991 World Championships was similar to that of American taekwondo athletes competing at national championships. The male taekwondo athletes at the World Championships recorded a value that was 2.5 times as high as that of US male athletes competing at national championships. Fractures incurred by female athletes competing in national taekwondo championships, while those of male athletes competing at the World Championships were one third of those in US male taekwondo athletes. The concrete floor of the rings at the World Championships is believed to have contributed to the injury rates for concussions and fractures. It is recommended to use mats for the rings at all times and, among other things, to adopt suspension rules as used in boxing. Verf.-Referat