Martial Arts Injuries
Just as with any sport or fitness endeavor, there is a risk of injury in martial arts training. However, contrary to what some people may believe, this risk is no higher than in sports such as football, rugby, soccer, wrestling, or any other sports.
Some common injuries in the martial arts are described here.
Cuts and Bruises
Many cuts and bruises are caused by the athlete who is going too hard or who is not paying close attention to what she is doing, and that “slip up” causes an injury that otherwise would not have occurred. While cuts and bruises are an unavoidable injury in any type of contact sport, the athlete can try to avoid them by wearing the proper safety equipment when sparring. The athlete should remember to watch the level of contact that she uses, and always remain focused on what she is doing.
Sprains
Sprains are also very common injuries in the martial arts. Most sprains occur in the ankles, elbows and toes.
Ankle Sprains
Many ankle sprains occur when running or kicking on uneven or overly soft flooring, such as old mats, or mats that have gaps between them. Other times ankle sprains can occur because of improper weight distribution when kicking. To help avoid ankle sprains, make sure that the training surface is in good condition, and make sure that one is standing in a proper stance and well balanced before throwing a kick.
Elbow Sprains
Most elbow sprains occur due to either hyper-extension or due to a lock or other joint manipulation technique. To avoid these injuries, one must always keep a slight bend in the joint when punching. The athlete must also make sure to go at a slow enough pace for her partner to not injure one accidentally. If grappling, it is best to tap out when one first feels the pain, instead of trying to muscle out of a lock and risk injury.
Jamming the Fingers and Toes
Most of the times the jamming occurs due to i) throwing a kick or punch improperly; ii) having the athlete’s opponent block her foot or hand directly on the toes and fingers; or iii) hitting a bag or pad and jamming these herself. If a kick calls for the ball, heel or instep of the foot, the athlete must remember to fully flex the ankle in the proper direction to get the toes out of the line of fire. If punching or throwing some sort of open hand technique that requires the palm or knuckles, it is best to either keep a tight fist with the fingers placed properly, or to completely open the palm and keep the fingers pressed tightly together. Executing a technique with proper form is absolutely essential to not only prevent injuries but also to perform the technique effectively.
Head Injuries
A serious injury that can occur in training or competition is a concussion. The first line of defense against a concussion is to wear a high quality and properly fitting helmet and a mouth guard. A helmet alone is not enough because the jaw must be aligned properly and protected as well. Only advanced practitioners should ever spar or compete without a helmet, and only in upper level competitions or events.
Source: About.com