Could current factors be associated with retrospective sports injuries in Brazilian jiu-jitsu? A cross-sectional study

FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SHOULDER IN JIU-JITSU BLACK BELT ATHLETES

OBJECTIVE

To assess the epidemiological profile of Jiu-Jitsu black belt athletes, including the prevalence of pain and shoulder function.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study carried out with Jiu-Jitsu athletes from 2014 to 2016. The studied variables were: sex, age, dominant limb, weight, height, profession, time of Jiu-Jitsu practice, weekly training hours, other practiced sports, comorbidities, injuries and previous surgeries, medications and habits. For the functional assessment of the shoulder, the ASES Score was used.

RESULTS

53 male athletes were evaluated. There was a prevalence of alcohol consumption (60.4%) and supplement use (32.1%). The practice of other sports included weight training (49.1%) and other martial arts (17%). There was a prevalence of knee (66.0%) and shoulder (52.8%) injuries and, in some cases, the need for surgical procedures. There was a prevalence of shoulder pain (73.6%) and more than half of the athletes (52.9%) had minimal or moderate limitation of shoulder function.

CONCLUSION

Jiu-jitsu black belt athletes often have a history of injuries, with the shoulder being the second most affected body part. In more than half of the athletes, there was a prevalence of shoulder pain and functional limitation, according to the ASES Score. Level of evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

Association of Scapular Dyskinesis with Neck and Shoulder Function and Training Period in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu Athletes

Background and Objectives: Neck and shoulder injuries are common in Brazilian ju-jitsu (BJJ) athletes, and scapular dyskinesis (SD) is associated with these injuries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SD in BJJ athletes, their neck and shoulder function and strength, and the BJJ training period. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight BJJ athletes participated in the study. Years of experience with BJJ, belt, shoulder internal and external rotation strength, neck strength, neck disability index (NDI), and SD were measured. Results: Approximately 31 BJJ athletes (64.6%) showed SD, and the nondominant arm showed a more obvious SD (n = 22, 45.8%) than the dominant arm (n = 18, 37.5%). Those with over five years of BJJ training experience showed a significantly higher rate of SD (p = 0.006) than those with less than five years of experience. Shoulder isometric internal rotation strength was significantly weaker in the obvious SD group than in the normal SD group (p = 0.014). Neck isometric strength and NDI did not differ significantly between individuals with or without SD. Conclusions: SD was common among BJJ athletes, and more experienced BJJ athletes exhibited higher rates of SD. Shoulder rotational strength was weaker with SD. Further studies are necessary on the neck and shoulders of BJJ athletes with SD.

Differences in Body Balance According to Body Mass Classification among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

Background: Body weight is an important aspect in the development of components of physical fitness that can affect athletic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in body balance of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes according to body mass classification: underweight/normal weight (UW/NW); overweight/obese (OW/OB). Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 69 BJJ athletes (age 23.26 ± 3.53) and 93 non-practicing adults (age 21.73 ± 2.32). This study was based on a quantitative assessment of body balance on the Zebris PDM platform during two tests, i.e., with eyes open and closed. Results: The total path of the center of pressure (COP TTL) was significantly higher in participants with UW/NW compared to those with OW/OB, both in participants from the study group and control group (p < 0.001). COP TTL was significantly lower in UW/NW BJJ athletes than in participants in the control group with the same BMI category (987.4 mm vs. 1238.5 mm and 1080.59 mm vs. 1280.70 mm, respectively) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. BJJ training is associated with a better balance in terms of COP TTL in the case of people with normal or underweight. The presence of excess body weight has a positive effect on lower COP TTL values in both practicing and non-practicing people.

Back pain and body posture of non-professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners

Background

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of back pain in non-professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners (NP-BJJ practitioners), and to assess the relationship between their back pain and postural disorders.

Methods

The study involved 61 subjects (age: 30.7 ± 4.9 years old; body mass: 79.4 ± 12.9 kg; body height: 179.6 ± 8.4 cm; 8 woman and 53 man), 31 who trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and 30 subjects who had never trained any combat sport. The mean time of training BJJ in the study population was 3.9 ± 4.1 years. Postural assessments were conducted with the use of the photogrammetric method. The assessment of back pain and injuries was conducted with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and with our proprietary questionnaire.

Results

Among both populations, 37 subjects reported back pain. There were no differences in back pain location between the two groups or in functional state on the ODI. Significant differences between the groups in the values of the postural parameters (spinal height, length of kyphosis, length of lordosis, pelvis inclination angle) were observed. Statistically significant differences between the NP-BJJ practitioners with and without back pain in the length of the thoracic kyphosis and the differences in the height of the waist triangles were found.

Conclusions

Both in the study population and in the control group the spinal pain was minimal or moderate on the ODI. BJJ practitioners who reported back pain had characteristic postural changes in some of the analysed postural parameters in comparison to BJJ practitioners who did not report back pain.

Injury Patterns, Risk Factors, and Return to Sport in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: A Cross-sectional Survey of 1140 Athletes

Background

Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) is a growing martial art that focuses on grappling techniques.

Purpose

To quantify the 3-year incidence of BJJ-related injuries and detect common injury patterns as well as risk factors among those practicing BJJ. It was hypothesized that there would be a high incidence of injuries, they would be caused by submissions in sparring situations, and they would occur predominantly at the extremities.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods

Active BJJ athletes were invited to take an English-language online survey developed by orthopaedic surgeons together with BJJ athletes and a sports scientist. Data were recorded regarding athlete demographics, sporting activity level, injuries within the past 3 years that caused at least a 2-week time loss, injury mechanisms, and return to sport.

Results

Overall, 1140 responses were received from 62 different countries; 88.9% of all athletes were male, and 63.9% were regular competitors. Within the investigated cohort, 1052 injuries were recorded in 784 athletes, for an injury incidence of 308 per 1000 athletes per year. The lower extremity (45.7%) and upper extremity (30.2%) were predominant sites of injury, with injuries to the knee (27.1%) being the most common. The most frequent knee injuries were meniscal injuries (n = 65), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears (n = 36), and medial collateral ligament injuries (n = 36). ACL tears were especially associated with long time frames for return to sport. Most injuries occurred during sparring (77.6%) and were caused by submissions (29.7%) and takedowns (26.4%). Competing regularly (P = .003), older age (P < .001), and higher belt rank (P = .003) were significant risk factors for injury.

Conclusion

Injury incidence was high among BJJ athletes surveyed, with 2 out of 3 athletes reporting at least 1 injury within a 3-year period that caused a 2-week absence from training. Most injuries occurred during sparring, and we believe that a high potential for injury reduction lies in drawing awareness to common injury patterns and sites in athletes.

Does the Fight Profile Interfere with Orthopedic Injuries in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Purpose

To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of orthopedic injuries associated with the technical-tactical profiles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fighters, according to the fighters’ graduation level (beginner and advanced).

Patients and Methods

Cross-sectional study, which included the participation of amateur and professional BJJ athletes, aged between 18 and 60 years and practitioners of the sport for at least six months. All answered a mixed self-reported morbidity questionnaire. Participants were divided into four groups, according to the technical-tactical profile in the fight (keeper and passer) and the fighter’s graduation level (beginner and advanced), and also into four subgroups, divided by joining the groups in pairs above. Descriptive and analytical statistical procedures were used, with a level of statistical significance set at 5% (p < 0.05).

Results

A total of 198 participants were included in the study. There was a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in advanced fighters (p<0.001), with no significant difference between the profiles of guard and passer fighters. Sprains were the most common type of injury in all studied groups and subgroups. The anatomical segments knee and shoulder, respectively, were the most affected in all groups, and both segments showed significant associations of the athletes in the advanced and guard groups.

Conclusion

The study showed important data for creation of specifics injury prevention protocols, through the higher prevalence of injuries in athletes of the advanced profile and in the segments of the knee and shoulder, with emphasis on the guard fighters.

Musculoskeletal injuries in athletes from five modalities: a cross-sectional study

Background

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSK-I) are a serious problem in sports medicine. Modifiable and non-modifiable factors are associated with susceptibility to these injuries. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of and identify the factors associated with MSK-I, including tendinopathy and joint and muscle injuries, in athletes.

Methods

In this cross-sectional observational study, 627 athletes from rugby (n = 225), soccer (n = 172), combat sports (n = 86), handball (n = 82) and water polo (n = 62) were recruited at different sports training centres and competitions. Athlete profiles and the prevalence of MSK-I were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Only previous MSK-I with imaging confirmation and/or a positive physical exam by a specialized orthopaedist were considered. The association of the epidemiological, clinical and sports profiles of athletes with MSK-I was evaluated by a logistic regression model.

Results

The mean age was 25 ± 6 years, and 60% of the athletes were male. The epidemiological, clinical and sports profiles of the athletes were different for the five sport groups. The MSK-I prevalence among all athletes was 76%, with 55% of MSK-I occurring in a joint, 48% occurring in a muscle and 30% being tendinopathy, and 19% of athletes had three investigated injuries. The MSK-I prevalence and injury locations were significantly different among sport groups. There was a predominance of joint injury in combat sports athletes (77%), muscle injury in handball athletes (67%) and tendinopathy in water polo athletes (52%). Age (≥30 years) was positively associated with joint (OR = 5.2 and 95% CI = 2.6–10.7) and muscle (OR = 4.9 and 95% CI = 2.4–10.1) injuries and tendinopathy (OR = 4.1 and 95% CI = 1.9–9.3).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of tendinopathy and joint and muscle injuries among rugby, soccer, combat sports, handball and water polo athletes. The analysis of associated factors (epidemiological, clinical and sports profiles) and the presence of MSK-I in athletes suggests an approximately 4–5-fold increased risk for athletes ≥30 years of age. The identification of modifiable and non-modifiable factors can contribute to implementing surveillance programmes for MSK-I prevention.

Injury rate and pattern among Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners: A survey study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 6-month incidence rate and pattern of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)-related injuries and characterize associations between injuries and experience level, demographic factors, and training variables.

DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiology study.

SETTING

Online survey.

PARTICIPANTS

1287 adult BJJ practitioners.

OUTCOME MEASURES

6-month BJJ-related injury incidence, anatomical pattern of injuries, and injury-associated demographic and training variable identification.

RESULTS

59.2% of practitioners reported at least one injury over 6 months. The knee was the most common site. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated 6-month injury incidence was negatively associated with years of training and body weight, and positively associated with training days per week and instructor status. More experienced athletes were more likely to report low back injury, while less experienced athletes more frequently reported head, upper extremity, and elbow injuries. None of the following variables were predictive of injury risk: gi preference, instruction on break-falling, and participation in a structured beginner's program.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factor analysis is applicable to BJJ instructors interested in reducing student injury risk. The widespread pattern of injuries and the distinction between types of injuries sustained at different levels of experience are notable findings that sports medicine practitioners should keep in mind when working with BJJ athletes.

Epidemiology of Sports Related Concussion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Cross-Sectional Study

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a rapidly growing grappling sport with a wide spectrum of participants. This cross-sectional study examined the lifetime prevalence of concussion in adult BJJ practitioners in the United States using a 17-item survey. A total of 778 (11.4% female) BJJ practitioners with a median age of 31 years completed the survey. Overall, the lifetime prevalence of the self-reported BJJ-related concussion was 25.2%. However, the prevalence was higher among females than males (43.0% versus 22.9%; X²(1,740) = 15.129; p < 0.001). Factors independently associated with significantly increased odds of having sustained a BJJ-related concussion included a prior history of concussion (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.14⁻2.74; p = 0.011) and female gender (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.04⁻3.65; p = 0.037). The median return to sports time was three days, with 30.3% of participants returning on the same day as being concussed. The present study represents the first epidemiological research examining the concussions in BJJ. The results underscore the need for increased education on concussions and return to sports guidelines among BJJ coaches and practitioners.