Noah N. Year 9 Sports Injuries

 

Sports Injuries in Judo

Judo is known to be the strongest form of martial arts in a concrete room. Judo is practised all around the world. Apart from Japan, Judo is famous in Europe, Russia and Brazil. It is an Olympic sport with internationally recognised rules and regulations. It is an enjoyable recreational activity and a way to stay fit for many people. Kodokan Judo has more spiritual and mental aspects than the sports Judo part of it. Winning competitions is not as emphasised as physical/spiritual training and education. Students attending high schools in Japan must choose from Judo, Kendo and Sumo and participate in that sport as it iscompulsory to do so. Most schools choose Judo even though their teachers may not have grasped the subject fully. This leads to many more cases of disabilities and death. Most of these cases are related to the brain. Judo co-curricular activities are the main source of these unfortunate events. France has done better than Japan in terms of safety measures. All instructors of Judo have to learn and train themselves emergency procedures, sports psychology and numerous other things for more than 300 hours in France. In Japan, many statistics concerning Judo injuries and deaths were kept secret. More French people in France are involved in Judo than Japanese people living in Japan.

I do believe many people would choose Kendo or Sumo to learn in high schools across Japan. They have a less dangerous sort of image. For example, in Kendo, the person will wear full protector gear when facing or training with a partner or opponent. Many types of martial arts don’t involve any contact; they stop before hitting.

Partners who are unskilled or are still learning will cause various head injuries. Certain types of people may be suited to the current Judo. The majority of the rest would end up with some form of injury. Good teachers/instructors and fellow students are the most important thing for the prevention of injuries. Safety measures would be implemented by the teachers/instructors and careful, sensible and intelligent training would be possible with fellow students. Unfortunately injuries can never be completely avoided in the practice of Judo. People who get involved in Judo can expect to get injuries from hard and powerful movements, foul tactics, overstraining oneself, lack of physical fitness, lack of seriousness during training, carelessness, lack of warming up exercises and other factors. There are three main causes of injuries/accidents in Judo. They are factors that lie within the techniques and movement of Judo, factors that lie within the environment and factors that lie within the students and teachers themselves.

Judo training methods today are far more intelligent than those in the past. More has become known about a lot of things since then. People used to fight with a broken rib without any sign of pain. Minor injuries can be disregarded in that way. Serious injuries must be allowed to heal. Qualified medical help should be sought immediately after an injury is sustained. Only very minor injuries can be allowed Judo instructor first aid or self-management.

Serious injuries caused by Judo include: the back of the head hitting the ground quite hard, the brain tilting or moving to one side due to excessive movement of the head(Sports Brain Injuries Caused By Rotational Acceleration and the resulting Acute subdural hematoma), repetitive damage to the area close to the head (cerebral concussion and second-impact syndrome SIS), various sprains, dislocations, teeth and mouth injuries, contusions (bruises) and fractures. The most frequent sprains include ankle joint sprains, knee joint sprains, shoulder joint sprains and wrist sprains. Shoulder joint dislocations are also commonly seen. Fractured ribs and fractures of the clavicle are the most common fracture types.

Ankle joint sprains

§  Caused by a sudden twist or other movement which stretches or tears the ligaments of the ankle joint

§  Not training or conditioning the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the joint as well as a lack of warming up and stretching may also be factors that lead to ankle injuries

§  Recurring ankle sprains require strapping, taping and other methods of support as well as comprehensive ankle rehabilitation programs

§  Swelling and pain of the ankle are the main symptoms of an ankle sprain (some bruising may also occur)

§  There are many ligaments keeping the ankle joint in place

§  The most commonly affected ligaments are located on the outside of the ankle.

§  Ankle sprains vary in degrees of seriousness however it is best to undergo immediate treatment and allow a full recovery

§  It is important to consult a professional if the injury is severe

Knee joint sprains

§  The knee is the body’s largest joint and has sets of ligaments, cartilages, muscles and the kneecap to support and guide the knee

§  Apply breakfalling techniques correctly and try not to bend your knees as much as possible

§  Legs should be kept apart to prevent injury of the knee

§  Usually caused by twisting or wrenching the knee joint while weight is being taken by the leg

§  The two cruciate ligaments in the knee are commonly damaged as well as the medial ligament followed by the lateral ligament

§  Other tissues in the knee that can suffer injury include the cartilage and the bony platella (kneecap)

§  Direct blows to the knee can also result in bruises and sprains

§  Pain is felt as well as swelling and limited ability to squat, bend or straighten the knee fully

§  High school students practicing Judo experience this injury the most; referral to a qualified professional is the best way of treatment

Shoulder joint sprains

§  Most injuries related to the shoulder occur when a person is thrown by someone or they perform a breakfall and hit their shoulder hard on the ground.Breakfalls must be mastered properly by new learners as it is the only way to avoid injury

§  It sometimes occurs when an opponent’s weight is too much for the shoulder to bear during throws

§  The tendons around the shoulder may cause pain, minor swelling, bruising and raising the arm will be difficult

Shoulder joint dislocations

§  The causes are similar to those of shoulder joint sprains

§  The rounded head of the humerus may be felt in front of the shoulder joint

§  The shoulder joint will look distorted

§  Swelling and bruising in the joint is common

§  Difficulty in moving the shoulder may be accompanied by severe pain

§  Nerves and blood vessels around the joint may be damaged and muscle spasms often occur

Fractures of the clavicle (collarbone)

§  Breakfalls undertaken with outstretched hands or the shoulder or a direct hit to the shoulder during some other activity are the common causes (especially seen in contact sports)

§  The force of the fall travels up the arm and fractures one of the collarbones

§  Pain and swelling may be felt

§  Transport to hospital must be arranged after securing the arm in a position that feels comfortable

Fractured ribs

§  The nature of Judoincludes hard and powerful movements so it is easy to overstrainoneself

§  Direct blows or crushes cause the fracture

§  Usually fractured ribs can go by unnoticed due to a lack of signs and symptoms until a qualified professional is consulted

§  Single rib fractures are more common than multiple rib fractures

§  Painful breathing especially when inhaling, swelling or bruising over the fracture site, signs of internal bleeding all indicate fractured ribs

Finger, thumb and toe injuries

§  Most injuries of the hand are caused by hitting or falling onto something with outstretched fingers which results in the overstretching of the fingers. A sprain of the ligaments and joint capsules occurs.

§  Straightening and bending the injured finger may be limited

§  Swelling and bruising may develop around the injured joint

§  Sharp pain immediately after the injury is felt followed by dull pain until pain is only felt when overstretching occurs.

§  Toes are frequently stubbed or even sprained in Judo; one of the causes is the nature of the floor material, tatami which can cling onto a toe during movement

§  Toe injuries can be painful and most serious cases require adequate rest

§  Taping the injured toe to an adjacent member can greatly support the injured toe

Elbow sprains

§  Arm locks in judo are techniques where pressure is applied to the elbow joint to force the submission of the opponent

§  Falls or direct blows as well as wrenching of the elbow can sprain the elbow joint and the surrounding tissues

§  Care must be taken to extend the elbow when breakfalling

§  Pain and stiffness may last for many weeks even without fractures

§  Bending and straightening the injured elbow may be difficult for severe sprains

Wrist sprains

§  Caused by using the outstretched hand to stop falling, instead of a proper breakfall (this is seen in beginners)

§  Groundwork can also result in some form of injury

§  The soft tissues and small joints of the wrist are the most affected

§  Prevention of injuries to the area of the hand, foot, knee and shoulders is important to high school students

Teeth and mouth injuries

§  Any fractured or dislodged teeth must be put back into its socket within 24 hours

§  Mouthpieces such as guards that can be taken off are not allowed in judo, therefore the only solution is to practice safely and treat the injuries promptly

§  They are a minor injury

Acute subdural hematoma

§  This is the biggest, most serious accident caused by hitting the head (the mortality rate is very high)

§  Blood vessels surrounding the brain get cut when the back of the head hits the ground and the brain tilts or moves to one side (the dura mater and the brain move and causes bridging veins to become torn)

§  Correct breakfalls will usually never result in this life-threatening injury

§  Until correct breakfalls are mastered, excessive care must be taken

§  Do not become overtired as beginners are normally weaker and will lose power in their neck muscles quite quickly

Cerebral concussion

§  The injury itself heals naturally and therefore is not a serious injury in itself but, care must be taken if there are repeated cases

§  Acute subdural hematoma may possibly occur

§  Other serious injuries must be ruled out

§  A doctor should be consulted so that treatment does not become late

§  Repeated concussions can cause serious accidents

§  Allow adequate rest after any occurrence and carefully return to normal practice methods

§  This injury must not be overlooked

Neck injuries

§  Inner-thigh reaping throws and small inner reaps can cause the person doing it to fall onto the ground from the head or get squashed by the opponent; especially the inner-thigh reaping throws as they cause the neck to bend excessively

§  Shoulder throws sometimes cause the person being thrown to be unable to breakfall or fall onto their head due to having tried to stop the act of being thrown

§  The head, neck and base of the spine must be kept safe by mastering correct breakfall methods and not performing techniques that are too hard

The temperature and humidity of the place of training as well as adequate water consumption and rest time is important. Sudden death during exercise caused by the heart has also occurred frequently with judo. Eating habits (allergies) and previous heart diseases and conditions should be known by the instructor.

There is no protective equipment that is used by all judo practitioners. There is only the traditional judo uniform which is slightly thicker than other martial arts uniforms and is made out of cotton. It consists of an open jacket with a thick collar, a thick cotton coloured belt and pants. Blue judo suits also exist and are worn to differentiate between the competitors. Uniforms must be kept clean. Nails must be kept clean and short. Any hard material capable of injuring somebody must be removed. Taping can protect and support injured areas. The rubber elastic bands will not hurt people and can prevent injury of the person using them. Frequently injured joints of the ankle, knee, shoulder and wrist are the most common places for taping. Supporters for the areas of the knee, foot, elbow and hand can provide cushioning, support and more freedom for practice. These types of protective equipment has seen widespread use in various other types of martial arts. Judo does not seem to require these as much. Beginners do use various types of protective equipment depending on their teacher.

Submissions are used when holds, strangles and joint locks are taking effect. It is usually done by slapping the mat at least twice with the palm or foot, tapping your partner twice or by simply saying that ‘I have given up’. A person must respond to a submission from their partner by releasing them. Submissions are for avoiding injury.

There is a tendency to place pressure on students to not give up so easily, especially in Japan. Pinning or hold-down techniques have no imminent danger and the victim is encouraged to continue struggling until escape is possible or the instructor or person holding releases the technique. Strangling techniques and joint or arm-lock techniques are generally limited to the trainees that are advanced enough to realise the danger of these types of grappling.

The three basic rules of judo are: mastering correct techniques and breakfalls, respecting others and training without overstraining and safety checks of the uniform and place of training. Training should be undertaken from basic breakfalling to various techniques. Step-by-step training can reduce risks of injury. Breakfalls should be performed according to how skilled you are. Training methods should include various patterns and skilled trainees should go easier on beginners. Care should be taken to reduce risks of hitting other people or things. Techniques which haven’t yet been learnt or mastered are all prohibited. Inexperienced students have injured their partners by doing a technique that causes the person to fall on their head wrongly. Injured people must speak up for themselves and receive correct treatment. These are the current rules/advice for all judo practitioners. 

All teachers must have a plan for each lesson as well as a middle to long term plan. Beginners must be taught differently from those who are entering competitions. Physical strength and levels of skill must be thought of and a different plan/approach is required. Practice should be done from easy basics to advanced techniques. Breaks during which water can be consumed is important. Beginners often try to keep up with the others and overstrain themselves. Experienced members may also forget to go easier on beginners. A balanced lifestyle and diet is the basic component of conditioning. Warming up plays a big role in preventing injuries and accidents and therefore must be done each lesson. Warming up quickens the blood flow of the whole body, raises the temperature of the body and increases the balance between the nerves and the muscles. This prepares the body to be able to react quickly. Cooling down is also important for the muscles to return to the same length as it was in the beginning. The environment must be cleaned and managed carefully. Anything that can cause injuries should be removed. Opening the windows and allowing fresh air to enter can help to reduce fainting and other forms of unpleasantness. Spiritual training may be harsh and therefore only experienced members should be allowed to participate. More preparatory exercises and rests as well as water consumption is required. Teachers should make sure that accidents caused by bad relationships, teasing and fazing are avoided at all costs.

A lot of action and research has been undertaken throughout the 20^th century and early 21^st century to reduce the amount of injuries that are sustained in judo. Unfortunately, the goal of eliminating all serious injuries from judo has not been reached. Emphasis has been placed on prevention and treatment. As mentioned earlier, there are three main causes of injuries/accidents in Judo. They are:

Factors that lie within the techniques and movement of Judo

·         The technique of throwing your opponent, pinning them down, strangling and spraining/crushing joints itself

·         The act of using those techniques and attacking and defending at the same time

Factors that lie within the environment

·         The space allowed for training in and the condition of the springs of the tatami and floor

·         The judo suit and supporters etc.

·         Natural conditions such as temperature and humidity

·         The history and traditions of the class/dojo and the various relationships between people inside them

Factors that lie within the students and teachers themselves.

·         The level of physical strength, knowledge and skills

·         The way of applying the techniques and doing breakfalls

·         Condition of the person

·         Personalities, emotions and rule-awareness

·         Health and wellbeing of the student

·         The knowledge, abilities and teaching skills of the teacher

·         The amount of safety awareness of both students and teachers as well as the straightforward management by the teacher

At the present stage, most judo instructors are able to do things their own way and little control is done by any judo organisation. Many people fear getting injured in judo and so they choose other forms of martial arts. There are not many judo dojos in Japan anyway. Judo is mostly taught in schools. Participation levels in judo may be steadily decreasing. Judo will most likely become safer in the future. If someone does not want to get an injury from judo, the best and easiest way is to not do it. Those who choose to should check various things such as the safety awareness levels of the teacher, the overall look of the training place etc.

Although students cannot perform techniques which they have not mastered yet, dangerous ones should be avoided or banned entirely. E.g. large outer reap, large inner reap and shoulder throws. Although correct breakfalling and throwing can be mastered, these techniques are always dangerous and when the conditions are met, they will cause severe injuries. Strangling techniques and joint or arm-lock techniques should also be banned completely for children and teenagers. Teenagers are currently allowed to learn these dangerous techniques. The majority of the injuries sustained by teenagers are due to practicing things they are not capable of. More clear and strict guidelines should be put into place to reduce the chance of life-threatening injuries. Pinning or holding-down techniques can be allowed. Head guards or helmets or head supporters made out of shock absorbing materials including sponge should be used by beginners until they are able to do things confidently. The act of taking an opponent’s foot (thereby unbalancing the person) should be restricted. All teachers should know all the preparatory exercises, supplementary exercises, compound exercises and auxiliary exercises. They should also know the ones that are thought to be safer and more effective. Teaching these and allowing students to practice them safely will quicken the process of building physical strength for judo training. Neck exercises will develop the muscles along the upper-back and around the neck. Bridging is a well-known way of training the neck and is used in wrestling and rugby training as well. There are many types of ‘bridging’ or ‘bridge’. During free practice or free sparring (Randori), teachers used to encourage everyone to seek opponents of different size, weight and style. A strong technique could only be built by meeting all the judo exponents, they believed. The modern way is to encourage people who weigh more or less the same and have around the same strength to practice together. New people should not be paired up as the risk of injuries occurring becomes greater. Supporters for the areas of the knee, foot, elbow and hand should be discussed as it is opposed by people who say that it may cause injuries to others. Effective use of protective equipment is still a matter of debate. Since the present way of judo is causing the injuries, many things must be changed if judo is to become injury-free. The maximum time for one judo session should be 2 hours. It must not be devoted to a single method of practice. It must be varied and include break times. One method of practice must not take more than an hour. This will surely prevent any injuries that occur due to overstraining and tiredness.

Injuries caused by judo in western countries seem to be less than the amount in Japan. These differences should be investigated further to ensure that nothing has been missed. Strict safety guidelines exist in America. These guidelines prevent people from dying during the practice of judo. In the past ten years, there were no under 18 year olds who had died from judo in the countries of America, Canada, U.K, Germany and Australia. In France, apparently there were no cases of cerebral concussion caused by judo reported to any hospital. It seems that the Japanese training methods are just not safe enough. In fact they may be worse than before. But they are not worse because we now know that the truth was hidden from the general public until very recently.

Injuries occur the most for beginners and levels subside for a few years, before rising again when advanced techniques are used and cause injuries. Adequate rest is required during and after judo lessons as it can be a very challenging and demanding sport. Enjoyment should be more emphasised rather than training.

Bibliography

Butcher, A 2001, Judo, New Holland Publishers Ltd, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 Australia

Ishikawa T. and Draeger D. 1999, Judo Training Methods: a sourcebook, Tuttle Publishing, Boston.

Kano, J, The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder, Kodansha USA, 2013

Yamaguchi, K 2010, report 5-2-4.pdf, 筑波大学, Japan

財団法人全日本柔道連盟　2011、柔道の安全指導, Tokyo

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