| The purpose of this study was to examine the Taekwondo injury rate suffered by the university and college Taekwondo athletes in Taiwan during 1996. One hundred and twenty Taekwondo athletes from the Department of Physical Education of five universities and colleges participated in this study. The study described injuries these athletes suffered, which includes type, location, frequency and severity. The study also discussed other injury related factors, such as athletes' personal characteristics, sports participation, athletes' perception of injury causes, and injury treatment.;Suggestions were made based on the findings of the study. (1) Taekwondo athletes, coaches, trainers and health care providers should become knowledgeable about the potential for injury and treatment for most frequently occurring injuries sustained in Taekwondo. (2) Since findings of this study are not generalizable to other populations, further research is needed in the examination of injury suffered by Taekwondo athletes. (3) A study examining injury at the time of occurrence would yield particularly useful and important data regarding injury in the sport of Taekwondo.;Of 120 respondents in the study, one hundred and nineteen (99.2%) reported injury in 1996. On average, each athlete suffered 3.22 injuries. The three most frequently suffered injuries reported by respondents include contusion (27.8%), sprain (26%) and strain (22.2%). Injuries were mostly inflicted onto the ankles (21.1%) and thighes (18.4%). The major causes of injury perceived by respondents include two opponents' exchanging kicks and blows (13.0%), occurrence of old injury (12.8%) and insufficient warm-up (11.5%). Most of the injured respondents (67.5%) rested for 3 to 7 days. Treatment most frequently applied to injured respondents include ice (24.4%), taping (18.7%), rest (17.8%) and massage (16.9%). The most often sought treatment providers include traditional Chinese doctors (26.4%), injured athletes treating themselves (21.8%) and athletic trainers (20.0%). No apparent difference exists between the injuries suffered by male and female respondents. |
