IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, type and mechanism of sport injuries in male karate athletes in the national karate team. The statistical population and samples were karate athletes who reached the final stages and were invited to participate in the Asian championship held in Malaysia (2007). The research instrument was a closed questionnaire which included 3 sections; the first section consisted of personal characteristics, titles, residency province, championship records and experience; the second section was related to karate athletes sport injuries including muscular, articulation, bone and skin and the third section consisted of the probable reasons of injuries occurrence, preparation test, first aids types, port injury measurements, rehabilitation measurements, types of injury in the injured limb. Each sportsman should mark the number of his injuries during a year in the related columns. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods (chi-square test) were used in data analysis. The results indicated that muscular injuries (65.4%) were more significant than other injuries (χ2=158.7, p<0.05). Also, the organic injuries in head and face (32.4%) were statistically more significant than injuries to other body parts (χ2=150.6, p<0.05). Moreover, the results showed that the most injuries included trauma (38.4%), contusion (15.1%), tension (7.5%) and strain (χ2=223.5, p<0.05). High pressure (26.9%), improper warning up (22.4%) injuries inflicted by a partner (14.9%) were the most common injury reasons. Also, the most important mechanism of injury incidence was related to opponent’s kick and punch blows (56.9%), athlete ‘s kicks and punches (33.3%) and falling down to the ground (barai) (9.8%). Improving coaches and athletes’ awareness of the prevailing injuries in this sport, strict judging and heavy penalties for uncontrolled blows, preventing the athlete from coming back to the exercise and competition before being fully healed along with using protecting instruments in head and face region, and more safety are the ways for decreasing injuries in this sport.