Nutrition in Combat Sports

10 Children in Combat Sports 155
may help to mitigate the potential negative effects of participation in high contact
sports and “power sports”. [14 , 15] This effect may not be observed in combat sports
such as boxing or other modern martial arts that focus solely on fighting. [14 , 15]
Flexibility, strength, and balance are an integral part of training in many martial
arts, and improvements in these areas may occur as a result of participation. Within
6 months of embarking on training, children in karate experience improvements in
all of these areas, but particularly in flexibility and balance when compared with
peers who are active in sports other than martial arts. [7] These qualities may
improve performance in the martial arts, as well as in other sports or physical activities,
and may reduce the risk of overuse injury by modifying these risk factors.
10.4 Risks of Combat Sports Participation in Childhood
There are risks inherent in almost every form of organized physical activity. Table
10.1 compares the rates of injury in youth sports. In some popular children’s sports,
the incidence of injury ranges from 5% in softball [16] up to 33% in ice hockey. [17]
Studies on martial arts injuries in children are scarce. One study of martial arts injuries
found that younger participants (12–19 years of age) were at higher risk of injury
than adults; [5] However, that study combined all martial arts, including full-contact,
noncontact, traditional, and modern styles, as well as those which used weapons.
When risk of injury in specific styles is evaluated, the risk varies greatly from one
style to another. [18] Contact styles place the individual at greater risk of injury than
noncontact styles. [5 , 18] A study of injuries in Shotokan karate found that children
were at lower risk of injury than adults, [19] and one study of children in noncontact
Table 10.1 Risk of injury in popular youth sports
Sport Injury definition
Injuries
(%/year)
Judo [37]
(boys)
(girls)
On-field evaluation
Shotokan karate [19 ] Time loss 6
Uechi-ryu karate [20 ] Time loss 0
Self-reported 28
Taekwondo [22 ] On-field evaluation
Baseball [16 ] On-field evaluation or time loss 11 a
Softball [16 ] On-field evaluation or time loss 5 a
Soccer[ 16 ] On-field evaluation or time loss 26 a
Football [16 ] On-field evaluation or time loss 26 a
Ice hockey [17] ,[24 ]
On-field evaluation
Time loss; concussion; dental or
facial laceration; substantive
professional attention
33
a Recalculated from data provided in study
injuries/
1,000A-E
40
52
58
17
10
21
15
26
11