Systematic Review of Scientific Research Issues Concerning Study of Athlete’s Foot in Martial Arts

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of researches, conducted regarding foot of athletes who specialize in martial arts. Research materials and methods include analysis of scientific and methodical resources, as well as synthesis; a total of 122 articles were analysed, 60 of which were included in the study. While conducting our research, we focused on scientists’ recommendations for conducting systematic reviews. Four criteria were selected for inclusion of articles in a systematic review, the same number of criteria were used as a limitation of inclusion in the review. Results: The main directions of scientific research that deal with foot of athletes who specialize in martial arts have been studied. We have also widely presented such researches that examine the issue of injuries to the lower extremity, in particular to the foot of athletes, engaged in martial arts. It has been found out that the researchers were mostly interested in a limited number of martial arts types. Examples of complex studies of athletes' injuries aim at comparison of different types of martial arts, in addition, studies are presented on a territorial basis as well as those that presuppose long-term observation. The authors explain the high level of injuries to performance of motor actions mainly barefoot. The age and level of athlete’s qualification, the amount of their training loads are determined as precursors of injuries. At the same time, the peculiarities of foot structure (its anthropometric indicators) did not have a significant impact on the level of injuries in athletes.

Conclusions: significant attention of scientists to the study of the lower limb and foot of athletes, engaged in particularly martial arts, is explained by the need to maintain a certain position of the body with the foot with supporting surface, to perform certain technical techniques in which the foot takes an active part. This is especially relevant for types of martial arts characterized by striking techniques. Carrying out training and competitive activities barefoot creates additional risks of increasing foot injuries for athletes.