Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
Ios-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine ( 2025 )  24 ,  739  -  746   DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.739

Research article
Epidemiology and Risk Factors of CrossFit-Related Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Athletes in the Czech Republic
Petr Schlegel1, , Kateřina Stuchlíková2, Bohouš Cabrnoch1
Author Information
1 Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
2 Departmentof Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, CharlesUniversity and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic

Petr Schlegel
✉ Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Education, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Email: petr.schlegel@uhk.cz
Publish Date
Received: 30-07-2024
Accepted: 12-08-2025
Published (online): 01-12-2025
Narrated in English
 
 
ABSTRACT

CrossFit®, a high-intensity functional training program, places considerable physical demands on athletes and may contribute to musculoskeletal injuries. Understanding injury patterns and risk factors is essential for developing prevention strategies. This study investigated injury prevalence, types, and associated risk factors among Czech CrossFit® practitioners and examined the impact on training routines. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to athletes training for at least six months at licensed affiliates across the Czech Republic. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and injuries. Chi-square and t-tests compared groups, and logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) for risk factors including age, sex, CrossFit® experience, and weekly training volume. Of 456 athletes (214 men and 242 women), 36.4% reported at least one injury in the past six months. The most injured areas were the spine (30.7%), shoulder (28.3%), and palm (14.5%). Snatches, box jumps, deadlifts, cleans, and pull-up variations accounted for most injuries. Overuse injuries were most prevalent (49.2%). Injured athletes were younger (p = 0.008) and trained more hours per week (p = 0.046). Logistic regression showed that increasing age (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94–0.99; p = 0.032) and absence of competitive participation (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39–0.96; p = 0.039) reduced injury risk. These findings highlight the substantial impact of injuries on training and support targeted prevention strategies—such as skill progression, load management, and appropriate scaling—to promote safer long-term participation in CrossFit®.

Key words: Sport injury, overuse, shoulder, functional training


           Key Points
  • 36.4 % of CrossFit athletes reported at least one injury in the past 6 months, with no significant difference between men and women.
  • Spine, shoulder, and palm were the most injured anatomical regions.
  • Injured athletes were younger and had a higher weekly training volume compared to uninjured athletes.
 
 
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