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According to Crossfit.com, CrossFit “is a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition, and can be used to accomplish any goal, from improved health to weight loss to better performance”. Each workout, each day, the routine is changed, and can be altered depending on the individual, whether they are older, younger, have different targets, or are at a different level of fitness.
The constant variation in routine, as well as the high intensity workout and inclusion of functional movement, are said to be the reason why CrossFit works so well within so many communities, and why it is a steadily growing industry and sporting activity.
According to a 2014 study, looking at CrossFit athletes in the United States, most injuries concerned the Shoulders, Back and Knees, and were the result of the ‘Gymnastics’ and ‘Weight-lifting’ exercises. Fortunately, these injuries were reported to be only Acute instances, in other words, there was mild swelling/ inflammation and sprains/ strains, instead of more severe injuries such as dislocations or fractures.
Gym’s offering CrossFit classes were seen to be ‘Excellent’ depending on how involved and experienced the coach was. That being said, it is recommended that you research the coach of the session; a good coach will always assist in choosing the correct weight, they will always correct your form and posture, and they will always modify the activity to minimise the risk of injury. A good coach is always something to investigate and invest in, especially in an environment where the Injury Rate is approximately 20%.
To reduce the risk of injuring your shoulder during these repetitive situations, you need to increase the mobility of the joint, and increase the joints natural strength. The demand present in CrossFit is extreme compared to common sports such as Football or Rugby, of course you still need to be athletic, but CrossFit is characterised as multiple high-intensity exercise with minimal rest in between.
So, to recap; CrossFit is an extremely demanding sport, able to be developed and adjusted to suit your goals and targets. The session is varied and intense, with minimal time for rest, resulting in a fairly high injury rate of approximately 20%. According to research, most injury cases are Acute and are usually of the Shoulder, Back or Knee, which correlates to other studies showing the same incidences within Gymnastics and Weightlifting. A good coach is vital within CrossFit, not only are they there to help you achieve your goals, but they should also be looking out for your health and wellbeing.
I hope you are having a great day so far, and if you have any questions or comments, I’m always available through my email Dominic.sportstherapist@gmail.com
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