Comprehensive Understanding of Sports Injury Development Through an Interdisciplinary Approach: The Role of the Asian Society of Kinesiology

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Asian J Kinesiol. 2024;26(4):1-2

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 October 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.15758/ajk.2024.26.4.1

Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan

^*Correspondence: Issei Ogasawara, PhD, Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan; E-mail: ogasawara.issei.med@osaka-u.ac.jp

Received 2024 September 23; Accepted 2024 September 23.

Severe sports injuries represent one of the most pressing concerns in sports medicine. These injuries often result in long-term physical consequences and can even end athletic careers prematurely. The study of injury mechanisms and the development of prevention strategies have long been areas of focus for biomechanics research (for instance [5,7]). However, recent advancements in sports science have revealed that severe sports injuries are not solely the result of poor biomechanics. Cognitive errors [2] and psychological traits [4] that increase injury risk have also been identified as critical factors in injury causation. This evolving understanding highlights the need for a broader, more interdisciplinary approach to injury prevention beyond traditional biomechanics.

Historically, the study of biomechanics has been the cornerstone of injury prevention research. Analyses of risky movement patterns [3], altered neuromuscular functions [1], and joint loading patterns [6] have provided valuable insights into the mechanical failures that lead to injury. However, emerging evidence suggests that psychological and cognitive factors significantly predispose athletes to these biomechanical failures. For instance, specific cognitive errors in decisionmaking or psychological traits such as stress, anxiety, or overconfidence may increase an athlete’s risk of injury. Thus, to fully understand the mechanisms behind sports injuries, we must integrate knowledge from biomechanics, cognitive science, and psychology.

The Asian Society of Kinesiology (ASK) is uniquely positioned to foster this interdisciplinary collaboration. As a society that includes a broad spectrum of experts— from biomechanics researchers to sports psychologists and cognitive scientists—ASK is well-equipped to address the complexity of severe sports injuries. The society promotes the integration of diverse academic perspectives and encourages its members to work together across disciplinary boundaries. This is essential for developing a holistic understanding of injury mechanisms and creating more effective prevention strategies.

The importance of such interdisciplinary cooperation cannot be overstated. While biomechanics can identify the physical risk factors for injury, psychology, and cognitive science can uncover the mental and emotional processes that may predispose an athlete to these risks. By combining these areas of expertise, we can develop more comprehensive models of injury causation, which, in turn, can lead to more effective prevention techniques. This approach will reduce injury rates and improve overall athlete performance by addressing the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of sports participation.

In conclusion, the Asian Society of Kinesiology is critical in advancing the study of severe sports injuries. Its interdisciplinary approach, encompassing biomechanics, psychology, and cognitive science, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifactorial causes of injury. As we continue to refine our knowledge in this area, the collaboration between experts from these diverse fields will be crucial in developing new strategies to prevent injuries and promote athletes’ long-term health and well-being. Through ASK’s leadership and dedication to multidisciplinary research, we are better equipped to face the challenges of sports injury prevention in the years to come.

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