Musculoskeletal Injuries in Competitive CrossFit Athletes

Abstract

Objective To identify the most frequent musculoskeletal injuries in CrossFit athletes who participated in a competition in 2017. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted through the application of a questionnaire to adult competitors of both genders who participated in a competition in 2017. Results Among the participants, 44% reported previous injuries, 67.3% of whom were men. The main types of lesions were inflammations, sprains and contusions. The most affected anatomic sites were the shoulder, spine and knee. Among the injured, 34.4% had a previous lesion at the site; 75.8% were undergoing follow-up with healthcare professionals; and all of them practiced CrossFit 5 times a week with a mean duration of the training sessions 68.2 ± 12.4 minutes and mean rest of 1.7 days a week. The duration of the training sessions was the most significant factor ( p = 0.002) for the occurrence of injuries. Conclusion The percentage of athletes injured due to the practice of CrossFit was of 44%, with a higher incidence among men. The main type of injury was inflammation, and the most exposed anatomical sites were the shoulder, spine and knee.

Keywords: epidemiology; injuries; musculoskeletal system; physical exercise.