Injuries During High-Intensity Functional Training: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Injury Epidemiology

Background:

• High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a popular exercise modality characterized by high volume, intensity, and minimal rest.
• Understanding injury risks associated with HIFT is crucial for athlete safety and program adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence and rates of injuries sustained during High-intensity functional training (HIFT).

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies involving 11,089 participants who met inclusion criteria for HIFT injury data.
• Quantitative data on injury prevalence and/or rates were extracted and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Overall HIFT injury prevalence was 36% (95% CI: 32-41%), with rates of 4.3 injuries/1000 h (95% CI: 3.35-5.23).
• Prospective studies indicated a higher injury rate of 9.9 injuries/1000 h (95% CI: 3.3-16.4).
• Most common injuries occurred in the shoulder (26%), back/spine (26%), and knee (14%).

Conclusions:

• HIFT is associated with a significant injury prevalence, with notable variability across studies.
• Higher injury rates observed in prospective studies suggest a need for more rigorous prospective research to accurately quantify HIFT injury risks.