Epidemiological Characteristics and Injury Mechanisms of Taekwondo-Related Injuries: A Systematic Review

Qing  Li; Jia  Li

doi:10.54691/ze6vys11

Authors

Qing Li
Jia Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/ze6vys11

Keywords:

Taekwondo; Sports injuries; Epidemiology; Injury mechanisms.

Abstract

As a highly-combative Olympic sport, taekwondo has one of the highest injury-incidence rates among Olympic disciplines, yet its epidemiological characteristics and injury patterns remain unclear. This study performed the-first-ever systematic analysis of the epidemiological features and injury mechanisms of taekwondo. A systematic search identified 552 publications published between 2000 and 2024, among which 24 studies covering 15,170 athletes met the inclusion criteria. Results demonstrated that lower-extremity injuries accounted for the largest proportion (54.3%), with the ankle/foot, knee and face being the most-frequently injured sites. Contusions, sprains and strains were the predominant injury types. The injury risk was markedly higher in the third round than in the first two rounds, while the first round carried the lowest risk, a trend associated with fatigue accumulation and aggressive tactics. Major contributing factors to injuries included inattention, unsatisfactory venue facilities, improper use of protective equipment, rule revisions, high-difficulty techniques and insufficient physical conditioning. It is recommended to implement the International Olympic Committee Injury Surveillance System (IOC-ISS) for standardized injury monitoring, together with improvements in protective-gear technology and rule optimization. Future research should prioritize biomechanical analysis of taekwondo movements, long‑term follow-up of chronic injuries, and the establishment of an integrated system combining prevention, surveillance and rehabilitation.

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