The MoU is claimed to have been struck as the WTF seek to look for ways to ensure the sport is as safe as possible for athletes.

YISSEM are present their research on taekwondo athletes’ injury and physical damage at the World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, which will take place from June 24 to 30.

Their findings follow changes to the taekwondo rules, based on the reports from the International Olympic Committee and WTF.

“We have long been putting efforts in place to ensure the safety of taekwondo athletes during competition,” said Chungwon Choue, WTF President.

“I am very happy to have formalised cooperation with YISSEM on the prevention of injuries using scientific research.

“The World Taekwondo Championships in Muju will be the biggest event with the most athletes participating in our history and I am looking forward to seeing the prevention education during the event.”

As part of the MoU, the WTF and YISSEM are set to work together to develop a programme that will analyse the causes of taekwondo athletes’ injuries.

They will look to promote measures that will prevent them and help to improve taekwondo competition.

The WTF state that taekwondo is already one of the safest martial arts, with athletes wearing the Protector and Scoring System (PSS) and protective head gear.

The federation claims they are always seeking to reduce the chances of injuries to athletes.

Sae Yong Lee, YISSEM head professor, stated he was proud to be working with the WTF.

“It is a great honour to work with the WTF and I would like to thank them for working with us for the safety of athletes,” Sae said.

“It is a great responsibility to conduct this research.”

The MoU signing ceremony took place at the WTF Headquarters in Seoul.

YISSEM is recognised as one of only 10 IOC research centres for the prevention of injury and protection of athlete health around the world.

The institute develop and implement effective preventative and treatment methods for sport-related injuries and illness.