Safety
Is Taekwondo Safe? Injury Rates and How to Prevent Them
Taekwondo is a contact sport, and most injuries are minor bruises and sprains to the legs and feet. Here are the numbers and what lowers your risk.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 26, 2026In a study of the 2018 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, 67 injuries occurred among 889 athletes, a rate of 7.54 per 100 athletes. Lower-limb injuries were the most common (36 of 67), contusions were the most frequent type (37), and most injuries came from contact with another athlete. Class training with controlled contact, a fitted mouthguard and proper warm-ups carries a lower risk than tournament sparring.
| Study | 2018 World Taekwondo Junior Championships, Hammamet |
|---|---|
| Athletes and matches | 889 athletes, 869 matches |
| Injuries recorded | 67 |
| Injuries per 100 athletes | 7.54 |
| Per 1,000 athlete exposures | 38.55 (male 41.15, female 32.25) |
| Most injured region | Lower extremity, 36 injuries |
| Most common type | Contusion, 37 injuries |
| Leading cause | Contact with another athlete, 51 injuries |
The short answer
Taekwondo carries a real risk of bruises, sprains and the occasional fracture, and the risk is higher in tournament sparring than in class. Most injuries are mild. In the best recent data we found, concussions were 3 of 67 injuries and all three were mild with no time lost. Serious injury is rare, but it is not zero, and gear plus coaching decide much of your risk.
What the 2018 World Junior Championships showed
Researchers recorded every injury at the 2018 World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Hammamet, Tunisia. The event had 889 athletes in 869 matches.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Total injuries | 67 |
| Per 100 athletes | 7.54 |
| Per 1,000 athlete-days | 15.07 |
| Per 1,000 athlete exposures (AE) | 38.55 |
| Male athletes | 41.15 per 1,000 AE |
| Female athletes | 32.25 per 1,000 AE |
| Contact with another athlete | 51 injuries, 29.34 per 1,000 AE |
An athlete exposure is one athlete in one match. Rates of 38 per 1,000 AE means roughly 1 injury for every 26 athlete matches in this event. Young elite athletes competing at full contact set the upper range, so class students should expect lower numbers.
Where injuries happen
| Body region | Injuries | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lower extremity | 36 | Foot or toe 11, knee 10, lower leg 9, ankle 5 |
| Head and trunk | 20 | Face 14, head 4 |
| Upper extremity | 11 | Arm, wrist and hand |
Lower-limb injuries made up more than half of the total. The 2025 systematic review of 8 studies agrees that lower-limb injuries, particularly to the foot and knee, are the most common. The main reason is that kicks land on the feet, shins and knees first.
Types of injury
| Type | Count | Share of 67 |
|---|---|---|
| Contusion (bruise) | 37 | 55% |
| Ligament sprain | 7 | 10% |
| Laceration | 6 | 9% |
| Fracture | 5 | 7% |
| Concussion | 3 | 4% |
A 2025 systematic review of 8 studies reported a similar pattern in its abstract: lower-limb injuries led, contusions predominated followed by sprains, direct contact was the leading cause, and most injuries meant 1 to 7 days of lost training.
How long athletes were out
| Time lost | Injuries |
|---|---|
| None | 24 |
| 1 to 3 days | 22 |
| 4 to 7 days | 15 |
| More than 7 days | 8 |
Of the 69 time-loss entries recorded, 61 (88%) cost a week or less, and 8 (12%) cost more than a week.
Children and martial arts injuries
A US study of emergency department visits for martial arts injuries from 1990 to 2003 estimated 128,400 visits for people aged 17 and under. The average age was 12.1 and 73.0% of patients were male.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Karate share of injuries | 79.5% |
| Being kicked | 25.6% |
| Falling | 20.6% |
| Kicking | 18.0% |
| Lower leg, foot or ankle | 30.1% |
| Hand or wrist | 24.5% |
| Sprains and strains | 29.3% |
| Contusions and abrasions | 27.8% |
| Fractures | 24.6% |
Those visits were for all martial arts, and karate made up most of them. Use them as a guide to where children get hurt, not as a taekwondo rate. Our guide to taekwondo for kids covers class size, age groups and what to ask a school.
Gear that lowers risk
| Gear | What it protects | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthguard | Teeth, lips, jaw | Custom, boil-and-bite or stock; see our mouthguard guide |
| Headgear | Head and face | Required in sparring; face injuries were 14 of 67 in the study |
| Chest protector | Ribs and trunk | Standard in sparring |
| Shin and forearm guards | Lower leg and arm | Lower leg injuries were 9 of 67 |
| Groin guard | Groin | Required in sparring |
| Foot protectors | Feet and toes | Foot or toe was the top single site, 11 of 67 |
Pick gear that fits. Gear that is too big shifts on impact and protects less. The full list is in best taekwondo sparring gear, and the sparring gear checklist shows what each tournament asks for.
How to lower your risk
- Warm up for 8 to 10 minutes before class: light jogging, leg swings and gentle kicks at half height.
- Stretch after training, when muscles are warm. See the flexibility guide for evidence-based volumes.
- Wear a mouthguard in every sparring round.
- Match your partner. Ask for light contact when you are new or when the partner is much smaller or larger.
- Stop and tell the instructor if a kick lands badly on a knee, hip or head.
- Rest a sprain or a head hit before you return, and see a doctor for pain that lasts more than a few days or any head symptoms.
- Choose a school that supervises sparring and teaches control, not only power.
Warning signs to act on
- Headache, confusion, nausea or dizziness after a head hit.
- A joint that swells, locks or will not take weight.
- Numbness or tingling after a hit to the neck or back.
- A broken or loosened tooth, which needs a dentist the same day.
Any of these means stop training and get medical care.
Frequently asked questions
Is taekwondo dangerous?
It is a contact sport with a moderate injury risk, mostly bruises and sprains. In the 2018 junior world championship, 7.54 injuries occurred per 100 athletes.
What is the most common taekwondo injury?
Bruises are the most common type, and the foot, knee and lower leg are the most often injured areas.
Is taekwondo safe for kids?
Yes in a supervised class with gear and age-appropriate sparring. Kids get hurt most often in the legs and hands, mainly from kicks and falls.
How many concussions occur in taekwondo?
In the 2018 junior world championship there were 3 concussions among 67 injuries, all mild with no time lost.
Does taekwondo hurt your knees?
The knee was the second most injured site in the study, with 10 of 67 injuries. Warm up, kick with control and avoid locking the knee on the follow-through.
What gear do I need to spar safely?
A mouthguard, headgear, chest protector, groin guard, shin guards and forearm guards, plus foot protectors if your school or event requires them.
Is taekwondo safer than other martial arts?
The studies we reviewed did not compare sports directly, so we cannot rank them. Injury risk depends on contact level, supervision and gear.
How often should I train to avoid injury?
Two to three classes a week is a common starting point. Add rest days and stop on any sharp pain.