Injury rate among CrossFit participants and its associated risk factors in Riyadh: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: CrossFit is a form of exercise that incorporates rapid and successive high-intensity movements. This study assesses the rate and risk factors of CrossFit injuries. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical, cross-sectional study that was conducted in four CrossFit affiliates (two for males and two for females) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire was used to collect the data from CrossFit athletes between January and April 2018. Data collected were incidence, severity, number of injuries, and potential risk factors for injury in the preceding 6 months. Using the SPSS software, data were analyzed using the t-test, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Among the 255 participants, 31.37% had an injury during the last 6 months' period. The incidence rate of injury was 3.33/1000 athlete hours. Participants who did not include cool down in their CrossFit workout were significantly more likely to be injured (41.58% vs. 24.68%, P = 0.004). Injured participants reported higher weekly athlete training hours (5.73 ± 3.89 vs. 4.55 ± 2.94, P = 0.008). Most of the participants' injuries were acute and required medical attention (51%). Conclusion: Injury rate among CrossFit athletes in Saudi Arabia is relatively high, especially among those who train regularly and those who do not incorporate cool-down in their CrossFit regimen. Cooling-down after CrossFit activities might help in reducing the rate of injury.