Contrary to popular belief, martial arts, particularly Taekwondo, poses a lower risk of injury compared to many other sports. Taekwondo, a relatively modernized martial art with a century of evolution, emphasizes anatomically correct movement patterns. This not only enhances its effectiveness in self-defense by leveraging the body’s maximum potential for power generation but also minimizes stress on joints, as the movements follow natural anatomical patterns. To illustrate, consider the natural movement of your foot, ankle, and knee when kicking a soccer ball versus the potentially unnatural positions during an hour-long soccer practice.

An examination of emergency room visits reveals a 0.13% risk of injury for bicycling and 0.02% for soccer. In our school, meticulously recording injuries to the third decimal digit, we find that Forms class has a 0% injury rate, Regular class has 0.001%, and Sparring class has 0.004%. When combined, all classes collectively exhibit a 0.005% risk of injury.

While engaging in competitions or MMA fights may slightly elevate the risk, it remains comparable to the injury risks in other sports. It’s essential to note that the emphasis on anatomically correct movements in Taekwondo contributes significantly to a safer training environment.