Combat Sports Injuries in Well-Trained Athletes during African Games 2015 in Brazzaville, Congo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology and distribution of com-bat sports injuries during African Games 2015. A retrospective study was con-ducted from November 2016 to February 2017, including all adult patients aged consulted by doctor during combat or admitted to emergency medical sport unit of complex sporting of these Games. The data collected were sex, time and day of consulting or admission, injury risk, types, location and causes of injuries. During these African Games, an average injury frequency of about 78.6% has been observed. Contusions (n = 104), sprains and luxations (n = 43), fractures (n = 40) and wounds (n = 12) were the main injuries observed among 187 ath-letes. The lower extremities were more frequently affected than the upper ex-tremities (150 cases versus 78 cases). In conclusion, the present study provides the latest knowledge on the frequency and characteristics injuries in combat sports. Injuries are different according to sport in their mechanisms and in-jury distribution. During African competition and training session, the evalu-ation and prevention of these factors could decrease the occurrence of such injuries.