A Systematic Review on the Biomechanics of Breakfall Technique (Ukemi) in Relation to Injury in Judo within the Adult Judoka Population

Ruqayya Lockhart, Wiesław Błach, Manuela Angioi, Tadeusz Ambroży, Łukasz Rydzik and Nikos Malliaropoulos
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Ruqayya Lockhart: Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DG, UK
Wiesław Błach: Faculty of Sport, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Manuela Angioi: Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DG, UK
Tadeusz Ambroży: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Łukasz Rydzik: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Nikos Malliaropoulos: Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4DG, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the biomechanics of Ukemi in relation to head and neck injury in adult judokas with varying skill sets. Design: Narrative systematic review. Methods: An extensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Science direct and EMBASE from inception to April 2021. Studies were included if they: (1) reported biomechanical analysis of judo throws and Ukemi; (2) were on adult judoka populations; (3) discussed injury related to judo technique. The included studies were assessed for risk of bias using a five-part modified STROBE checklist. A narrative synthesis was performed due to the heterogeneity of included studies. Results: 173 titles and abstracts were screened with 16 studies (158 judokas, 9 of which were female) included. All studies used 3D biomechanical analysis to assess Ukemi. Ukemi implementation produced reduced kinematic data in comparison to direct occipital contact, which was always below the injury threshold. Analysis of lower limb and trunk kinematics revealed variances in Ukemi between novice and experienced judoka. Whilst no significant differences were seen in neck flexion angles, hip, knee and trunk angle time plots revealed greater extension angles in experienced judokas. Conclusions: Ukemi is essential in preventing head and neck injuries; however, technique differs between experienced and novice judoka. Larger flexion angles of the hip, knee and trunk are seen in novice judoka, which correlate with increased kinematic data. The association of greater neck muscle strength with improved Ukemi is weak. However, a negative correlation was established between fatigue and breakfall skill by one study.

Keywords: sports injuries; judo; Ukemi (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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