Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics

Background/Objectives: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, throug...

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Main Authors: Ricardo Maia Ferreira, Luís Gonçalves Fernandes, Beatriz Minghelli, Yuri Feito, António Rodrigues Sampaio, Nuno Pimenta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Muscles
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/4/1/2
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author Ricardo Maia Ferreira
Luís Gonçalves Fernandes
Beatriz Minghelli
Yuri Feito
António Rodrigues Sampaio
Nuno Pimenta
author_facet Ricardo Maia Ferreira
Luís Gonçalves Fernandes
Beatriz Minghelli
Yuri Feito
António Rodrigues Sampaio
Nuno Pimenta
author_sort Ricardo Maia Ferreira
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a self-reported questionnaire, the epidemiology of Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> training practitioners. Methods: Statistical analyses, including Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, Spearman’s rho correlations, and logistic regressions, were conducted. Results: A total of 288 practitioners completed the questionnaire, with 39.9% reporting injuries. These injuries occurred mainly during training, particularly when performing gymnastics exercises. Tendon (40.9%) and shoulder (46.1%) were the most common injuries. Key risk factors for injury included male gender (OR = 2.7), years of practice (4–6 years: OR = 7.22), heavier body weight (OR = 4.76), and higher weekly training volume (4–6 times per week). Conclusions: Approximately 40% of CrossFit<sup>®</sup> practitioners are expected to experience injuries, particularly in the shoulder and tendons. Injury risk is influenced by factors such as practice years, weekly training, sex, and body weight. These findings may help guide practitioners, coaches, and health professionals in better understanding the risk factors, mitigating injuries, and developing effective injury prevention strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-fa1806a94b8945d999ea744d16f5dfd72025-08-20T01:49:01ZengMDPI AGMuscles2813-04132025-01-0141210.3390/muscles4010002Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their CharacteristicsRicardo Maia Ferreira0Luís Gonçalves Fernandes1Beatriz Minghelli2Yuri Feito3António Rodrigues Sampaio4Nuno Pimenta5Social Sciences, Education and Sport Department, Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, 4475-690 Maia, PortugalSocial Sciences, Education and Sport Department, Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, 4475-690 Maia, PortugalJean Piaget Algarve Health School, Piaget Institute, 8300-025 Silves, PortugalNea Onnim Consultancy, FL, USASocial Sciences, Education and Sport Department, Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, 4475-690 Maia, PortugalSocial Sciences, Education and Sport Department, Polytechnic Institute of Maia, N2i, 4475-690 Maia, PortugalBackground/Objectives: CrossFit<sup>®</sup> is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a self-reported questionnaire, the epidemiology of Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> training practitioners. Methods: Statistical analyses, including Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, Spearman’s rho correlations, and logistic regressions, were conducted. Results: A total of 288 practitioners completed the questionnaire, with 39.9% reporting injuries. These injuries occurred mainly during training, particularly when performing gymnastics exercises. Tendon (40.9%) and shoulder (46.1%) were the most common injuries. Key risk factors for injury included male gender (OR = 2.7), years of practice (4–6 years: OR = 7.22), heavier body weight (OR = 4.76), and higher weekly training volume (4–6 times per week). Conclusions: Approximately 40% of CrossFit<sup>®</sup> practitioners are expected to experience injuries, particularly in the shoulder and tendons. Injury risk is influenced by factors such as practice years, weekly training, sex, and body weight. These findings may help guide practitioners, coaches, and health professionals in better understanding the risk factors, mitigating injuries, and developing effective injury prevention strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/4/1/2CrossFit<sup>®</sup> traininginjuriesepidemiology
spellingShingle Ricardo Maia Ferreira
Luís Gonçalves Fernandes
Beatriz Minghelli
Yuri Feito
António Rodrigues Sampaio
Nuno Pimenta
Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
Muscles
CrossFit<sup>®</sup> training
injuries
epidemiology
title Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
title_full Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
title_fullStr Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
title_full_unstemmed Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
title_short Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit<sup>®</sup> Practitioners and Their Characteristics
title_sort sport related injuries in portuguese crossfit sup r sup practitioners and their characteristics
topic CrossFit<sup>®</sup> training
injuries
epidemiology
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0413/4/1/2
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