Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(10): 837-842
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1547224
Clinical Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Incidence and Risk Factors for Upper Extremity Climbing Injuries in Indoor Climbers

M. van Middelkoop
1   General Practice, Erasmus MC Medical University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
,
M. L. Bruens
2   General Practice, Erasmus MC Medical University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
,
J. H. Coert
3   Plastic Surgery, Erasmus MC Medical University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
,
R. W. Selles
4   Rehabilitation, Erasmus MC Medical University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
,
E. Verhagen
5   EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
,
S.M. A. Bierma-Zeinstra
2   General Practice, Erasmus MC Medical University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
,
B. W. Koes
2   General Practice, Erasmus MC Medical University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 28 January 2015

Publication Date:
06 May 2015 (online)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for climbing-related injuries of the upper extremities in recreational climbers. A total of 426 recreational climbers were recruited from indoor climbing halls. The baseline questionnaire included questions on potential risk factors for climbing injuries: personal factors, climbing-related factors and upper extremity injuries that had occurred in the previous 12 months. Follow-up questionnaires collected information on new injuries that occurred during the follow-up period. The incidence of climbing-related injuries during one-year follow-up was 42.4% with 13 injuries per 1 000 h of climbing. The finger was the most frequently affected injury location (36.0%). The following risk factors were associated with the occurrence of upper extremity injuries: higher age (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01;1.05), performing a cooling-down (OR 2.02, 95%CI 1.28;3.18), climbing with campus board (OR 2.48, 95%CI 1.23;5.02), finger strength middle finger (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.05;1.18) and previous injuries (OR 3.05, 95%CI 2.01;4.83). Climbing injuries of the upper body extremities are very common among recreational climbers in indoor halls and several risk factors can be identified that are related to a higher injury risk.

 
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