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I. Misiris1, K. Vassis2,3, A.S. Siouras4, N. Kourkoulis5, G. Meletiou6, A.-M. Iliopoulou1, I.A. Poulis3
1“Physio’clock” Advanced Physiotherapy Center, Larissa, Greece, 2School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Lamia, Greece, 3Human Performance and Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of Thessaly, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Lamia, Greece, 4University of Thessaly, Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, Larissa, Greece, 5Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Serres, Greece, 6'Meletiou_PhysioLab' Advanced Physiotherapy Center, Thiva, Greece
Background: Over the last years people have increasingly turned to various activities to gain the benefits that exercise has to offer. CrossFit (CF) has become internationally popular and has gained recognition and interest among physically active populations for its focus on successive ballistic motions that build strength and endurance. CF is based on a set of complex exercises combined with high-intensity workout routines that are performed quickly, repetitively with limited or no recovery time between sets. Despite this rapid increase in adherence to CF practice studies have conducted on injury epidemiology in CF practitioners. However there is a paucity of scientific evidence on the risk of CF-related musculoskeletal injuries in Greek population.
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the main risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in Greek CF practitioners.
Methods: A structured, self-administered and convenience survey was administered to a sample of 1224 CF practitioners in Greece both females (36%) and males (64%), aged 18-59 years who trained in boxes with at least Level 1 certified trainers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. A logistic regression model was created in order to examine the risk factors for injuries in CF. Βefore using it, a single-factor analysis of these factors was made with whether or not the athletes were injured. Chi-square test used to test the significance of the single-factor analysis.
Results: Statistically significant injury factors were participation in competitions or not (p = 0.001); rest per week (p=0.01); duration of training per session (p=0.001); and frequency of training per week (p=0.03). Training Level (p=0.43) was not statistically significant injury factor.
Conclusion(s): As CF becomes more popular, it is important to monitor the safety of its practitioners. Participation in competitions; rest; training duration and frequency are areas that must be taken into consideration by clinicians in order to make CF safer for participants.
Implications: This epidemiological study implies that it is necessary to obtain a better understanding and identification of common injuries and potential risks factors of CrossFit, in order to develop appropriate preventive strategies, to reduce the risk of injury or better serve our active athlete population who participate in CrossFit. Similar strategies have been applied to other sports such as handball and soccer to reduce injury rates. Except athlete’s well-being, which is the number one priority, the economics revolving injuries in CrossFit must also be taken into consideration.
Funding, acknowledgements: This study does not involve any external research grant support.
Keywords: CrossFit training, Risk factors, Epidemiological study
Topic: Sport & sports injuries
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly
Committee: Research Ethics Committee of Department of Physiotherapy
Ethics number: n.1575ΣΕ2/13-4-2020
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
