A 4-Year Analysis of the Incidence of Injuries Among CrossFit-Trained Participants

Abstract

Background:High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a new training modality that merges high-intensity exercise with functional (multijoint) movements. Even though others exist, CrossFit training has emerged as the most common form of HIFT. Recently, several reports have linked CrossFit training to severe injuries and/or life-threatening conditions, such as rhabdomyolysis. Empirical evidence regarding the safety of this training modality is currently limited.Purpose:To examine the incidence of injuries related to CrossFit participation and to estimate the rate of injuries in a large cross-sectional convenience sample of CrossFit participants from around the world.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:A total of 3049 participants who reported engaging in CrossFit training between 2013 and 2017 were surveyed.Results:A portion (30.5%) of the participants surveyed reported experiencing an injury over the previous 12 months because of their participation in CrossFit training. Injuries to the shoulders (39%), back (36%), knees (15%), elbows (12%), and wrists (11%) were most common for both male and female participants. The greatest number of injuries occurred among those who participated in CrossFit training 3 to 5 days per week (χ2 = 12.51; P = .0019). Overall, and based on the assumed maximum number of workout hours per week, the injury rate was 0.27 per 1000 hours (females: 0.28; males: 0.26), whereas the assumed minimum number of workout hours per week resulted in an injury rate of 0.74 per 1000 hours (females: 0.78; males: 0.70).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that CrossFit training is relatively safe compared with more traditional training modalities. However, it seems that those within their first year of training as well as those who engage in this training modality less than 3 days per week and/or participate in less than 3 workouts per week are at a greater risk for injuries.

Injuries in Novice Participants during an Eight-Week Start up CrossFit Program—A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Among the studies reporting an injury rate per 1000 h of exposure, the results seem to be relatively consistent with reported injury rates ranging from 0.74 to 3.3 per 1000 h of exposure [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19]. However, the vast majority of studies have used retrospective study designs [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][13][14][15][16][17], and only one study [12] has been designed to prospectively investigate the IR (Injury Rate).…”

“…Several mechanisms for the presumed high number of injures have been discussed, including performing technical movements under high intensity close to exertion and even performing harmful movements [4,5]. However, these possible mechanisms are still undocumented, and a growing body of evidence concludes that the injury rates of CrossFit participants arecomparable to the injury rates of other noncontact sports such as Olympic weightlifting and gymnastics [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Among the studies reporting an injury rate per 1000 h of exposure, the results seem to be relatively consistent with reported injury rates ranging from 0.74 to 3.3 per 1000 h of exposure [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19].…”

“…However, these possible mechanisms are still undocumented, and a growing body of evidence concludes that the injury rates of CrossFit participants arecomparable to the injury rates of other noncontact sports such as Olympic weightlifting and gymnastics [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Among the studies reporting an injury rate per 1000 h of exposure, the results seem to be relatively consistent with reported injury rates ranging from 0.74 to 3.3 per 1000 h of exposure [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]19]. However, the vast majority of studies have used retrospective study designs [4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][13][14][15][16][17], and only one study [12] has been designed to prospectively investigate the IR (Injury Rate).…”

“…Today, the existing body of evidence is, however, mainly based on experienced CrossFit participants or CrossFit athletes; therefore, the injury incidence and injury rate within novice CrossFit participants remains relatively unknown, even though two studies suggest that CrossFit participants with less than six months of experience are at greater risk of being injured when participating in CrossFit [11,17]. Knowledge on risk and benefits among novice CrossFit participants is important information, especially because the sport of CrossFit is rapidly growing.…”

Effect of the MobilityWOD training program on functional movement patterns related to the risk of injury in CrossFit practitioners

“…This damage was predominantly found in the shoulders, knees, lumbar spine, elbows and wrists. In addition, a shorter training time (less than six months and fewer than three workouts per week) increases the risk of injury (Feito, Burrows, & Tabb, 2018;Mehrab, de Vos, Kraan, & Mathijssen, 2017;Minghelli & Vicente, 2019).…”