Comparison of Head Strike Incidence under K1 Rules of Kickboxing with and without Helmet Protection—A Pilot Study

Łukasz Rydzik (), Wojciech Wąsacz, Tadeusz Ambroży, Tomasz Pałka, Ewa Sobiło-Rydzik and Marta Kopańska
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Łukasz Rydzik: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Wojciech Wąsacz: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Tadeusz Ambroży: Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Tomasz Pałka: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Physical Education, 31-571 Kraków, Poland
Ewa Sobiło-Rydzik: Independent Researcher, 35-326 Rzeszów, Poland
Marta Kopańska: Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszów University, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport that encompasses various forms of competition. K1 kickboxing is conducted without any restrictions on the force of strikes, and the bout can end prematurely through a knockout. Headgear has been introduced in amateur kickboxing to safeguard the head. However, scientific studies have shown that despite their use, serious head injuries can still occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal structure of the bout by calculating the number of head strikes in K1 kickboxing bouts with and without headgear. Methods: Thirty K1 kickboxing bouts were analyzed, with 30 participants included in the study. The fights were conducted according to the World Association Kickboxing Organization (WAKO) rules. The bouts consisted of three rounds of 2 min each, with a 1 min break between rounds. Sparring pairs were arranged according to weight categories. The first bouts were conducted without headgear, and two weeks later, the fights were repeated with WAKO-approved headgear. The number of head strikes was assessed retrospectively by analyzing video recordings of the bouts, categorizing strikes as hand or foot strikes, and differentiating between strikes that hit the head directly or indirectly. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between bouts with and without headgear in terms of the number of strikes to the head ( p = 0.002), strikes directly to the head ( p < 0.001), all hand strikes to the head ( p = 0.001), hand strikes directly to the head ( p = 0.003), and foot strikes directly to the head ( p = 0.03). Higher values were observed in bouts with headgear. Conclusions: Headgear increases the probability of direct strikes to the head. Therefore, it is important to familiarize kickboxers with the use of headgear in their sport to minimize head injuries.

Keywords: protective helmet; kickboxing; head injuries; brain injuries; health protection; fight analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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