Common postures and sport injuries in elite karate athletes

The sport specificities and repetitive patterns can affect musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was to investigate and comparison of postural disorders and sport injuries in Kata and Kumite style karate athletes.

38 elite (20 Kumite, 18 kata) formed the research subjects. The flat foot was measured with Staheli index, and Caliper, universal goniometer and flexible ruler were used for assessing knee abnormalities, Q-angle and spinal curvatures respectively. The rate of injuries were recorded in data collection forms. Independent t-test was used to compare the postural variables between groups and chi-square was used to compare the injury rates.

Independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the amount of Staheli foot index (P = 0.00) in kumite and kata groups. However, between the kyphosis (P=0.53), lumbar lordosis (P=0.06), Q angle (P=0.54), the distance between the inner thigh condyles (P=0.86) and the distance between the inner ankle malleolus (P=0.78) There was no significant difference between the two groups (P> 0.05). The highest incidence of lesions was also observed in lower limb (58.4%).

Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that karate exercise can affect athletes's posture due to the type of special training and the pattern of repetitive movements. The results showed that prolonged karate training increased the prevalence of flat foot and hip Q angle in the Kata group and increased lumbar lordosis in the Kumite group and lower extremity had the highest injury rate.