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Injury Incidence, Patterns, and Risk Factors in Functional Training Athletes in an Asian Population
Timothy Tsin Jien Cheng1, Azura Mansor1, Yi Zhen Lim2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Background:
Functional training, also known as CrossFit, is a unique sport that combines weightlifting, gymnastics, and metabolic conditioning into a single program. There are an estimated 50 functional training centers in Malaysia.
Purpose:
To analyze the injury rates, patterns, and risk factors of functional training/CrossFit.
Study Design:
Descriptive epidemiology study.
Methods:
Electronic questionnaires were distributed to 244 participants from 15 centers in the country. Descriptive data regarding the athletes, injury occurrence within the past 6 months, injury details, and risk factors were collected.
Results:
Of the 244 athletes, 112 (46%) developed at least 1 new injury over the previous 6 months. Injury rates were significantly higher in athletes from nonaffiliate training gyms compared with CrossFit-affiliated gyms, in athletes with previous injuries, and in those who perceived themselves as having more than average fitness.
Conclusion:
Coaches and athletes need to be more aware of risk factors for injury to enable safer and better training strategies.
