Lesions in Shotokan Karate and Jiu-Jitsu - direct trauma versus indirect

Introduction: Karate and Jiu-Jitsu are martial arts sharing a common origin but showing distinct movement biomechanics. The main features of Shotokan Karate are the impact blows, whereas Jiu-Jitsu utilizes projections, strangulations, torsions and immobilizations. These differences can provoke different sites of lesion. Objective: To verify the frequency of lesions in Karate and Jiu-Jitsu and confront their respective lesions between the two studied groups. Methods: Ninety-four athletes from three different competitive levels (international, national and state) were transversally evaluated through an open-closed-question questionnaire. Data regarding starting age and period of training were also assessed. The T-Student test and Chi-Square test were applied for the group comparison. Statistically significant differences were considered when p<0,05. Results: 148 lesions were reported from a sample of 53 karate players, and 160 lesions from 41 Jiu-Jitsu athletes. The most frequency site of lesion in karate was the hands and fingers (15.5%) and, in Jiu- Jitsu, the knees (16.3%). The places which presented significant differences between the two groups were: legs (p=0.042), mouth and teeth (p=0,028), neck (p=0,038), shoulder (p=0,000), elbow (p=0,001), and ear (p=0,000). Conclusion: Karate and Jiu-Jitsu show differences as regards frequency and incidence of lesion sites. These findings contribute to the elaboration of specific preventive and therapeutic measures for each sport.