| Title: | Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in female wrestling |
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| Authors: | ID Dobnik, Marina (Author)
ID Vatovec, Rok (Author)
ID Anderlič, Jakob (Author)
ID Joksimović, Marko (Author)
ID Ipavec, Matej (Author)
ID Plevnik, Matej (Author) |
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| Files: |  https://doi.org/10.32098/mltj_2026_6320
https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/mltj/article/view/6320
 RAZ_Dobnik_Marina_2026.pdf (880,48 KB)
MD5: 5AC83CBE8632F0A19EF3F107F90579C5
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Article |
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| Typology: | 1.02 - Review Article |
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| Organization: | FVZ - Faculty of Health Sciences
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| Abstract: | Background: Wrestling is among the world’s oldest combat sports and is associated with a substantial burden of musculoskeletal injury. However, epidemiological syntheses in wrestling have historically been dominated by male cohorts, and the injury profile in women’s wrestling remains less clearly defined. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesize the available evidence on the incidence, anatomical distribution, severity, and type of musculoskeletal injuries in female wrestlers. Material and methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus with full text databases were screened for relevant articles. Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis of our review. Results: Ten studies were included. Reported injury incidence ranged from 4.29 injuries per 1000 training hours to 16.8 injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures, depending on the exposure denominator used. Across studies, upper-extremity and lower-extremity injuries represented the largest proportion of reported injuries, followed by trunk and head/neck/face injuries. Within extremity injuries, shoulder and upper arm injuries represented the largest share. Notably, while upper-extremity injuries predominated in youth cohorts, lower-extremity injuries accounted for the greatest proportion of injuries in elite athletes. Most injuries were classified as mild, and joint and muscle injuries were among the most frequently reported injury categories. Conclusions: This review provides an updated synthesis of musculoskeletal injury epidemiology in female wrestling, highlighting age- and level-specific injury patterns relevant for prevention planning. Nevertheless, interpretation must remain cautious due to substantial between-study heterogeneity in injury definitions, exposure denominators, injury categorization, and clinical ascertainment. Standardized surveillance methods and reporting practices are needed to enable robust comparisons and evidence-based prevention strategies. |
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| Keywords: | epidemiology, female, injury, prevention, wrestling |
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| Publication status: | In print |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Article acceptance date: | 22.05.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 11.08.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-10 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 16 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/RUP-23461  |
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| UDC: | 796 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2240-4554 |
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| DOI: | 10.32098/mltj_2026_6320 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 287652867 |
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| Publication date in RUP: | 12.08.2026 |
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| Views: | 18 |
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| Downloads: | 0 |
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