ANÁLISE EPIDEMIOLÓGICA DE LESÕES MUSCULOESQUELÉTICAS RELACIONADAS AO FITNESS FUNCIONAL E FATORES ASSOCIADOS

Abstract

Functional Fitness training (known as CrossFit™ or high-intensity functional training) is a comprehensive exercise approach that combines elements of elite sports with a focus on health, leisure, and physical conditioning. Although it offers health benefits, there are concerns about safety and risks associated with its practice. Therefore, this thesis aimed to analyze epidemiological aspects and factors associated with injuries related to Functional Fitness. For this purpose, the first study was carried out, with a cross-sectional design, for the purpose of descriptive analysis of the characteristics of practitioners, tracing the profile of injuries and identifying potential associated factors. The sample, selected by convenience, was 304 participants from three CrossFit™ affiliated gyms. Data was collected through interviews, using questions about possible injuries related to Functional Fitness in the last 12 months, participant demographics, as well as the training regimen, and satisfaction level related to joint mobility. Out of the 304 participants included, 27.0% (n=82) suffered injuries related to Functional Fitness, with a rate of 1.22 injuries/1000 hours of participation. Dissatisfaction with shoulder mobility increased the odds of injury in multivariate logistic regression (OR 2.37 – 95%CI 1.14; 4.95). The shoulder was the most affected body part (26.6%), gradual injury mechanism was the most reported (36.2%) and joint sprain (18.1%), cartilage injury (11.7%) and tendinopathy (10.6%) were the most common types of pathology. Regarding the severity of symptoms, in most cases, participants reported the injury as serious (36.2%), with loss of sports time of more than 28 days (50%). The second study, using a prospective design, aimed to determine the incidence of injuries among Functional Fitness participants over 12 months of follow-up and identify demographic, exposure, and biomechanical differences between injured and uninjured participants. For this purpose, 80 participants were evaluated, and potential risk factors were collected at the study's baseline through interviews and physical assessment (anthropometric, joint mobility, core function, and dynamic balance measurements, and upper limb tests performance). Participants were monitored through online forms sent via text messages every 30 days, regarding exposure to the modality and occurrence of injuries. Out of the 80 evaluated participants, 71 responded to at least one follow-up form and 47.9% (n=34) suffered injuries related to the sport. A total of 48 injuries were reported, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 67.6% and 3.52 injuries per 1000 exposure hours. Considering individual data, the average incidence of injuries every 1000 hours was 5.76±10.21. In multivariate analysis, prior injury history (OR 8.84 – 95%CI 1.24; 63.25) and dorsiflexion mobility asymmetry (OR 1.29 – 95%CI 1.02; 1.61) were confirmed as factors that increased the odds of injury, while a greater number of touches on the Closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test was identified as a protective factor for injury occurrence (OR 0.86 – 95%CI 0.76; 0.97).