Incidence Study of Head Blows and Concussions in Competition Taekwondo

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of head blows and concussions in competition taekwondo. DESIGN: Incidence cohort design. SETTING: Taekwondo tournament in 2001, in South Korea. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2328 competitors (female, 676; male, 1652; age, 11-19 years) from 424 schools participated in the tournament. All recipients of head blows were interviewed immediately after the match. All matches were recorded on videotape. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Head blow and concussion rates were calculated. Also, factors associated with head blows and concussions were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of head blows and concussions was 226 and 50 per 1000 athlete exposures, respectively. Only 17% of competitors reported that they had had a concussion in the last 12 months. A multinomial logistic model showed that head blows and concussions were associated with young age and a lack of blocking skills. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of head blows and concussions is high in competition taekwondo. Promoting blocking skills to prevent head blows could decrease concussions in taekwondo.