Prevalence of Injuries in Wushu Competition during the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009
Pichet Yiemsiri MD*, Amarin Wanawan MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the prevalence and characteristic of injuries in Wushu Competition during the 1st Asian Martial Arts
Games 2009.
Material and Method: Sixty international athletes (38 males) participating in Wushu Competition during the 1st Asian Martial
Arts Games 2009. Injuries were recorded on injury report forms to document any injuries seen and treatment provided by
tournament physician during competitions. The injury forms described the athlete’s causes, type, site, and severity of the
injuries.
Results : There were 60 international athletes the average age were 22.49+3.75 years. The prevalence of injuries was 228.07/
1,000 athlete exposure (AE). The prevalence in males and females was 161.76/1,000 AE and 326.09/1,000 AE, respectively.
The most common injured body parts in males were lower extremities 102.94/1,000 AE, followed by head and face injuries
58.82/1,000 AE. The most common injured body parts in females were lower extremities 282.61/1,000 AE. The most common
types of injuries in males were contusions 58.82/1,000 AE, concussion 29.41/1,000 AE and strain-sprain 29.41/1,000 AE. In
females the most common type of injury were contusion 195.65/1,000 AE followed by strain-sprain 130.43/1,000 AE. The
most common mechanism of injury in males were receiving a punch 58.82/1,000 AE, receiving a kick 44.12/1,000 AE and
delivering a kick 44.12/1,000 AE. Meanwhile, in females common mechanisms were receiving a kick 152.17/1,000 AE
followed by delivering a kick 130.43/1,000 AE.
Conclusion : High prevalence of injuries in Wushu competition during the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games 2009 revealed female
injuries were higher than male and had a higher prevalence compared with Muay Thai or Taekwondo competitions.
Keywords : Wushu, injury, athletes
