Prevention of karate injuries--a progress report.

Methods of preventing karate injuries are discussed. These fall into three groups:--1. Prevention by control. 2. Prevention by using protective clothing. 3. Pre-fight medical examination. The results of the above methods in reducing the incidence of injury in karate competitions are described. After a follow up one year (1102 fights) it is concluded that the incidence and severity of karate injuries has been reduced significantly thus making the sport safer.