ObjectiveTo report the epidemiology of injuries in Olympic-style karate competitions.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of injury incidence rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (IIRAE) and per 1000 min of exposure (IIRME) were obtained by fitting random-effects models.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, AMED, SPORTDiscus and AusportMed databases were searched from inception to 21 August 2019.Eligibility criteriaProspective cohort studies published in peer-reviewed journals and reporting injury data (ie, incidence, severity, location, type, mechanism or risk factors) among athletes participating in Olympic-style karate competition.ResultsTwenty-eight studies were included. The estimated IIRAE and IIRME were 88.3 (95%CI 66.6 to 117.2) and 39.2 (95%CI 30.6 to 50.2), respectively. The most commonly injured body region was the head and neck (median: 57.9%; range: 33.3% to 96.8%), while contusion (median: 68.3%; range: 54.9% to 95.1%) and laceration (median: 18.6%; range: 0.0% to 29.3%) were the most frequently reported types of injury. Despite inconsistency in classifying injury severity, included studies reported that most injuries were in the least severe category. There was no significant difference in IIRME between male and female karate athletes (rate ratio 1.09; 95%CI 0.88 to 1.36).ConclusionKarate athletes sustain, on average, 1 injury every 11 exposures (bouts) or approximately 25 min of competition. The large majority of these injuries were minor or mild in severity.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In contrast to obesity, little is known about the human lean phenotype associated with gut microbiota composition. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We aimed to investigate whether the bacterial composition of lean athletes with a positive energy balance differs from the equal-calorie food group. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Twenty-four male participants were included in this cross-sectional study: lean athletes with a positive energy balance (LA, <i>n</i> 12) and control group athletes (CTRLs, <i>n</i> 12). Nutritional data, resting and total energy expenditure, and body composition were determined. DNA was extracted from stool samples and subjected to 16S rRNA gene analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found 7 differentially abundant bacterial taxa between the LA and CTRL groups. Of those, 5 were significantly less abundant and 2 were enriched in the LA group. The following categories significantly associated with the community structure were identified: body fat parameters, BMI, energy intake and expenditure, oxygen consumption, and respiratory exchange ratio. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Although we are far from a detailed interpretation of lean human body maintenance, the primary findings of our study suggest that gut microbial composition may be a factor influencing the regulation of weight gain in lean athletes with a positive energy balance.

Background: Prospective studies on injuries in martial arts competitions are scarce, especially those involving time-loss injuries. The upsurge of karate athletes competing in top-level karate competitions warrants elucidation of the time-loss injury risk. Purpose: To determine the time-loss injury proportion and incidence rate, describe the injury pattern among elite senior karate athletes, and compare the risk of time-loss injuries in male versus female athletes and in individual (ie, weight categories) versus team competitions (free-weight category). Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Data were collected at 4 consecutive World Karate Championships (2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016). Injury incidence rates were calculated per 1000 athlete-exposures (IIRAE) and per 1000 minutes of exposure (IIRME), with 95% CIs. Subgroups were compared by calculating their rate ratios with 95% CIs. Results: A total of 506 injuries were recorded, of which 51 were time-loss injuries (10%). The overall time-loss injury rate was significantly lower for female versus male athletes and slightly lower for team versus individual competitions. Overall, 1.4% of all athletes sustained a time-loss injury, and the IIRAE and IIRME were 5.13 (95% CI, 3.82-6.74) and 1.98 (95% CI, 1.47-2.60), respectively. The most common type of time-loss injury was fracture (41%), followed by dislocation (20%) and concussion (12%). Conclusion: The time-loss injury incidence rate for top-level karate competitions found in this prospective study was relatively low. Comprehensive knowledge about the incidence of time-loss injuries during karate competitions represents an essential basis to develop effective strategies for injury prevention. Thus, the introduction of a uniform injury surveillance system in martial arts is of utmost importance.

Summary Background. When analyzing the available literature, we found differences and considerable variability in the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) reliability methods. Problems and Aim. For this reason, we have set our goal to determine the reliability and measurement error of all parameters by SJFT. Methods. The research sample consisted of 15 judo athletes (17.13 ± 1.96 years, body height 174.4 ± 10.64 cm, body weight 72 ± 15.37 kg) who trained in judo on average 8.73 ± 2.12 years in two different Slovak judo clubs. The results were processed using interclass correlation analysis and measurement error percentage. Results. Our results indicate poor reliability for HR0 (α= 0.374, Err = 4.2 %) and moderate reliability for the following parameters: the number of throws in section A (α = 0.641, Err = 5.9 %), section B (α = 0.512, Err = 6.0 %), and section C (α = 0.644, Err = 5.9 %), respectively. Moderate reliability was also found for the total number of throws (α = 0.687, Err = 5.1 %). Good reliability was found for HR1 (α = 0797, Err = 3.5 %) and SJFT index (α = 0.807, Err = 4.5 %). Conclusions. According to the results of this study, by testing the special level of judo fitness, as well as its changes, we recommend using the HR1 and SJFT index as good reliable parameters.

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