Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Climbers-A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Lead climbing and bouldering have gained significant popularity, evidenced by their inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
• Understanding injury risks is crucial for athlete safety and performance in these climbing disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess the existing literature on injury risk factors and prevention programs in lead climbing and bouldering.
• To identify gaps in current research and guide future investigations.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus up to November 2023.
• Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were used to assess study quality.
• Qualitative data synthesis was employed for the analysis of included studies.

Main Results:

• Seven studies, involving over 4000 climbers, were included in the review.
• Overuse injuries, particularly affecting fingers and shoulders, are more prevalent than acute injuries in adult climbers.
• Evidence linking specific risk factors (e.g., skill level, age, taping) to injuries is inconsistent and contradictory across studies.

Conclusions:

• Further high-quality, longitudinal research is necessary to clarify injury mechanisms in lead climbing and bouldering.
• Standardizing injury definitions and assessment methods is essential for future studies.
• Developing sport-specific injury prevention strategies requires a better understanding of identified risk factors and effective preventive measures.