retrospective cross sectional survey direct bjj Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Injury prevalence among Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners globally: a cross-sectional study in 881 participants

Authors Pablo Martin Stegerhoek, Boris Brajovic, Paul Kuijer, and Mirwais Mehrab

Publication Published 2025-03-12

Evidence Audit Verified 2026-10-08 · Next Review: 2027-10-08

Read Original Journal Article (DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002322) Evidence Overview See our safety practices

Academic Verification

Study Summary & Academic Scope

Sport & Domain

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Population Covered

BJJ practitioners; mean age 30.8 years (SD 8.6); 817 participants were male; 881 participants.

What Was Studied (Intervention)

Retrospective survey of global BJJ practitioners who trained at least weekly, covering training, competition, and injuries in the prior 12 months.

What It Measured

Self-reported injuries. An injury meant medical care, at least one week away from training, or at least two weeks of modified training.

What the Source Reports (Key Findings)

The 881 participants reported 888 injuries. Rates were 5.5 per 1,000 training hours and 55.9 per 1,000 matches. Of the injuries, 789 (89%) happened in training; 620 of those (79%) happened during sparring. Knees accounted for 223 injuries (25%) and shoulders for 114 (13%).

What It Does Not Show (Limits & Boundaries)

Prospective injury causes, whether prevention practices work, individual risk, youth injury rates, or injury rates at Sensei Sandy BJJ.

Verification Protocol

Verified 2026-10-08 · review again 2027-10-08.

Read the source (DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002322) Return to the evidence explanation See our safety practices