Musculoskeletal Injuries and Risk Factors in Spanish CrossFit® Practitioners

Abstract

CrossFit® Training is a physical and sports-conditioning system based on constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. CrossFit® has been shown to significantly improve general physical performance and body composition. Although there seems to be an association between the practice of CrossFit® and musculoskeletal injuries, the relationship between CrossFit® and injury risks has been poorly studied. The main objective of this study was to establish the relationship between CrossFit® and musculoskeletal injuries. Secondary objectives were the analysis of various risk factors and injury and the comparison of the incidence of CrossFit® injuries to that of other sports. An online questionnaire was distributed to gyms affiliated with CrossFit®, Inc. in the Principality of Asturias, Spain in order to carry out a retrospective transversal descriptive study. The frequency of injuries in CrossFit® is similar to most sports. Injuries are often minor and of short duration, with the shoulder being the most affected joint complex.