Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
An Inertial Measurement Unit Based Method to Estimate Hip and Knee Joint Kinematics in Team Sport Athletes on the Field
Published on: May 26, 2020
Identifying the Most Common CrossFit Injuries in a Variety of Athletes
Kirill Alekseyev1, Alex John1, Andrew Malek1
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kingsbrook Rehabilitation Institute, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Background:
CrossFit is an increasingly popular, rapidly growing exercise regimen. Few studies have evaluated CrossFit-associated musculoskeletal injuries on a large scale. This study explores such injuries and associated risk factors in detail.
Objective:
To identify the most common musculoskeletal injuries endured during CrossFit training among athletes at different levels of expertise.
Design:
Survey-based retrospective cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Distribution at CrossFit gyms in the United States and internationally. Also published on active online forums.
Participants:
A total of 885 former and current CrossFit athletes.
Methods:
Institutional review board-approved 33-question Web-based survey focused on CrossFit injuries and associated risk factors. Survey submissions were accepted for a period of 6 months.
Main Outcome Measurements:
Specific injuries with associated workouts, risk factors that affected injury including (1) basic demographics, (2) regional differences in reported injuries, (3) training intensity, and (4) expertise level at time of injury.
Results:
Of the 885 respondents, 295 (33.3%) were injured. The most common injuries involved the back (95/295, 32.2%) and shoulder (61/295, 20.7%). The most common exercises that caused injury were squats (65/295, 22.0%) and deadlifts (53/295, 18.0%). Advanced-level (64/295, 21.7%) athletes were more significantly injured than beginner-level (40/295, 13.6%) athletes. International participants were 2.2 times more likely than domestic US participants to suffer injury. Individuals with 3+ years of CrossFit experience were 3.3 times more likely to be injured than those with 2 or less years of experience. Participants who trained for 11+ h/week were significantly more likely to be injured than those who trained less than or equal to 10 h/week.
Conclusions:
As CrossFit becomes more popular, it is important to monitor the safety of its practitioners. Further studies are needed to explore how to lower this injury prevalence of 33.3%. Areas to focus on include factors that have caused the regional (international vs US states) differences, level of expertise/experience differences (advanced level vs intermediate and beginner levels), and stretching routine modifications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:22Burn Injuries
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:28Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
01:26Cross-bridge Cycle
01:19Types of Collisions - II