Viljoen, Carel2024-02-142024-02-142024-04-172023*A2024http://hdl.handle.net/2263/94617Thesis (MSc (Physiotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2023.Background: CrossFit is a type of high-intensity training that includes aerobic exercises, gymnastics, powerlifting and Olympic-style weightlifting. CrossFit is a rapidly growing exercise regime associated with high injury rates. There is insufficient literature regarding risk factors for injury amongst CrossFit athletes, with few prospective cohort studies reported globally. Objective: To determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and associated risk factors for injuries in adult CrossFit athletes training at a box in Pretoria, South Africa. Methods: Prospective cohort study among 48 participants (males n = 20 (41.7%), females n = 28 (58.3%)), followed over 12 weeks. A modified Olso Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire for Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) was used biweekly to capture self-reported CrossFit-related injury (CRI) and training data. Results: Overall, 24 injuries were sustained by 18 participants. We reported an overall mean injury prevalence of 37.5%, a mean injury prevalence per two-week period of 19.4%, and a mean injury rate of 0.26 injuries per 1000 hours of CrossFit exposure. Females sustained a higher injury rate than males (0.29 vs 0.22 injuries per 1000 hours). The leading anatomical sites of CRIs involved the shoulder (41.7%), lumbosacral spine (20.8%) and knee (8.3%). The most commonly injured tissues included muscle (41.79%), followed by synovium/capsulitis (16.7%) and tendinopathies (12.5%). Half the reported injuries did not result in days lost from CrossFit participation (50.0%), and a history of a previous CRI in the past six months was an independent risk factor for obtaining a current CRI. Conclusion: Approximately one in three CrossFit athletes sustained a CRI affecting mainly the shoulder, lumbar spine and knee. A previous injury in the past six months is a significant risk factor for sustaining a new CrossFit injury. A combination of clinical knowledge, experience, and the results of this study could assist in developing future injury prevention strategies among CrossFit athletes.en© 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.UCTDCrossFitEpidemiologyInjuryRisk factorThesisu17023760