Injury patterns in elite judo athletes: a prospective descriptive study

Introduction Judo is one of the most widely practiced martial arts worldwide and carries a notable risk of musculoskeletal injuries, especially at the elite level. Prospective data on injury patterns are limited. This study aimed to describe injuries and contextual factors in elite judoka to inform prevention strategies. Methods Injuries in elite judoka were prospectively recorded at eight German Olympic training centers from January 2020 to June 2022 using a standardized online questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively. A total of 105 injuries were included. The cohort was estimated at around 200 elite athletes; due to variable participation, no exposure data or incidence rates could be calculated. Results In total, 105 injuries were documented (41.9% female n = 44, 58.1% male n = 61). The knee (31.4%), shoulder (17.1%), and elbow (13.3%) were most affected. Ligament injuries predominated (40.0%), including anterior cruciate ligament ruptures (7.6%). Most injuries occurred during throwing actions (78.1%), including the opponent’s throwing action (40.0%) and the athlete’s own throwing action (38.1%). The majority occurred during training (64.8%). Athletes aged 21–23 years were most affected, often in association with increased training load. Conclusion Injuries in elite judo occur mainly during throwing actions, with the knee, shoulder, and elbow most commonly affected. Anterior cruciate ligament rupture is a relevant diagnosis. These findings support the development of targeted prevention strategies, particularly for knee injuries. Graphic abstract