Injury in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training

Abstract

Background: Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that can lead to injuries both in training and in competition. There is a paucity of data regarding injuries sustained while training in BJJ, in both competitive and noncompetitive jiu-jitsu athletes. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that most BJJ practitioners sustain injuries to various body locations while in training and in competition. Our primary objective was to describe injuries sustained while training for BJJ, both in practice and in competition. Our secondary objectives were to classify injury type and to explore participant and injury characteristics associated with wanting to quit jiu-jitsu after injury. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We conducted a survey of all BJJ participants at a single club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We developed a questionnaire including questions on demographics, injuries in competition and/or training, treatment received, and whether the participant considered discontinuing BJJ after injury. Results: A total of 70 BJJ athletes participated in this study (response rate, 85%). Ninety-one percent of participants were injured in training and 60% of competitive athletes were injured in competitions. Significantly more injuries were sustained overall for each body region in training in comparison with competition ( P < 0.001). Two-thirds of injured participants required medical attention, with 15% requiring surgery. Participants requiring surgical treatment were 6.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those requiring other treatments, including no treatment (odds ratio [OR], 6.50; 95% CI, 1.53-27.60). Participants required to take more than 4 months off training were 5.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those who took less time off (OR, 5.48; 95% CI, 2.25-13.38). Conclusion: The prevalence of injury is very high among BJJ practitioners, with 9 of 10 practitioners sustaining at least 1 injury, commonly during training. Injuries were primarily sprains and strains to fingers, the upper extremity, and neck. Potential participants in BJJ should be informed regarding significant risk of injury and instructed regarding appropriate precautions and safety protocols. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware of the substantial risk of injury among BJJ practitioners and the epidemiology of the injuries as outlined in this article.

Epidemiology of Orthopedic Injuries in Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

“…When comparing jiu-jitsu with other fighting modalities, a study addressing injuries caused by judo found chirodactyls and knees to be the most common affected sites, similar to our findings. 19 Petrisor et al 4 conducted a questionnaire-based study with 70 jiu-jitsu practitioners to establish the epidemiology of injuries suffered in the sport. In line with our findings, they reported 91% of injuries to occur during training and a high prevalence of injuries in the neck, fingers/hand, knees, shoulders, and elbows.…”

“…In jiu-jitsu, the goal is to finish the fight using projections, chokes, twists, and immobilizations, often with joint blockage, which may result in various types of lesions, predominantly orthopedic. [1][2][3][4][5] These fights are characterized by unexpected, fast, repetitive, and high-intensity effort movements, subjecting joints and muscles to an intense overload. Added to the large number of competitions and training intensity, these factors incur in many musculoskeletal injuries.…”

“…[6][7][8][9] And, although these studies do not include jiu-jitsu, they serve as basis for comparing the epidemiology of other modalities, including fights as judo and wrestling. [2][3][4][5][6][7][10][11][12] Musculoskeletal injuries account for about 80% of sports injuries. Thus, the number of orthopedic injuries has increased alongside the exponential increase in sports practice by the general population (including at age groups extremes).…”

Back Pain and Body Posture of Non-Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes

“…Studies on injuries in BJJ found that only 6% of injuries happen during contests [13] and that these are usually orthopaedic injuries [7] affecting mainly knees and elbows [8]. Most injuries happen during training [13] and they usually affect distal limb parts, i.e. hands, feet, ngers and toes [9].…”

“…The injuries affect the limbs as well as the torso, and internal organs [9][10][11][12]. It has been found that athletes sustain more injuries during training than during competitions [13].…”