Lesões musculoesqueléticas em atletas de elite do karatê: modalidade katá e kumitê

Karate, also known as the art of empty hand, is represented by the two methods most performed in the world, Kata and Kumite. The Kata consists of predefined sequences of combinations involving both attacking and defensive movements against imaginary opponents; the Kumite is a training against an adversary or real fight. In recent years, this sport has grown significantly as well as the number of injuries in athletes. Although few studies have investigated this modality, there is an important incidence of injuries in karate. The objectives of this research were to investigate the more common injuries and diagnosis among athletes, to compare the period of time that athletes are more predisposed to injuries, as well as anatomical region more affected. This research was composed of 31 athletes, 16 male and 15 female, who participated in expressive competitions in national and international championships. The questionnaire contained open and closed questions with personal data, history of sports and injuries. 38 injuries were reported, with fracture prevalence of 34.21% followed by contusion and sprain, both with 15.79% and muscle injuries and tendonitis with 13.15% each. The areas most affected were the lower limbs with 44.71%, followed by the trunk region with 34.20% and finally, the region of the upper limbs with 21.04% of the injuries. The training period surpassed the competition in the number of injuries and the more experienced athletes were more susceptible to sports injuries. Key-words: athletic injuries, epidemiology, martial arts. Recebido 14 de março de 2011; aceito em 3 de agosto de 2011. Endereço para correspondência: Angélica Castilho Alonso, Rua Aquiráz, 156, Vila Granada, 03654-040 São Paulo SP, Tel: (11) 9998-7682, E-mail: angelicacastilho@msn.com 343 Fisioterapia Brasil Volume 12 Número 5 setembro/outubro de 2011