Page 95 - Safe Wrestling

Movement Patterns and Preventive Exercise Strategies

summarises selected movement patterns, common movement errors,
and example exercises that can be integrated into preventive training
programmes in combat sports.

Scope and Limitations
As a narrative review with practical application, this contribution does
not aim to provide an exhaustive systematic review of all studies address-
ing movement patterns or screening tools. Instead, it focuses on repre-
sentative evidence with clear practical utility for coaches and practition-
ers working in combat sports.

Results and Discussion
Correct Movement Patterns as the Basis of Injury Prevention
in Combat Sports
For training to be both effective and safe, athletes must first master fun-
damental movement patterns. These patterns form the foundation upon
which more complex combat techniques are developed (Cook, 2010). If
these fundamental movements are performed incorrectly, this not on-
ly reduces technical efficiency but also increases the risk of acute and
overuse injuries (Myer et al., 2005). Preventive training should therefore
initially prioritise the quality of fundamental movement patterns before
progressing to more complex, sport-specific exercises. The key funda-
mental movement patterns for reducing injury risk in combat sports in-
clude: squatting with controlled knee alignment, lifting from the floor us-
ing a hip-hinge strategy to protect the spine, activation of the abdominal
musculature during striking and defensive actions, and stabilisation of
the shoulder girdle (scapular control) during striking, throwing, and de-
fensive movements.
Squat with Controlled Knee Alignment
The squat is a fundamental multijoint movement requiring coordinated
activation of the lower-extremity and trunk musculature. Incorrect ex-
ecution, particularly medial displacement of the knee (dynamic valgus
collapse), represents an important risk factor for anterior cruciate liga-
ment injury and other knee pathologies (Di Stasi et al., 2013; Zheng et al.,
2025).
In combat sports, squatting and semi-squatting positions frequent-
ly occur during transitions from standing to ground fighting (par terre),
during defence against throws, and during force generation in strikes,
kicks, and throwing techniques. Consequently, the acquisition of correct

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