The effect of a structured injury prevention program on injury severity and type in elite Adolescent and Young Adult Taekwondo athletes.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of the 'Get Set-Train Smarter' warm-up program on injury incidence, type, and severity in elite Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Taekwondo athletes.

Design

Cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Training centers in South Korea.

Participants

362 elite AYA athletes aged ≥16).

Main outcome measures

Injury incidence rate ratios (IRRs) per 1000 training hours, stratified by severity (Level I-III).

Results

While overall injury incidence did not significantly differ between groups (IRR = 1.05, 95% CI 0.95-1.16, p = 0.336), the intervention group showed a 34% lower rate of severe (Level III) injuries (IRR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.92, p = 0.001). Furthermore, ligament injuries were significantly reduced in the intervention group (IRR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.18-1.72, p