The epidemiology of rock-climbing injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and nature of rock-climbing injuries, and the factors associated with these injuries.


METHODS
A retrospective cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Rock climbers were recruited at five outdoor and six indoor climbing venues in the UK.


METHODS
201 active rock climbers (163 male, 38 female climbers) aged 16-62 years.


METHODS
Rock climbing behaviours and key demographics.


METHODS
Injuries requiring medical attention or withdrawal from participation for > or = 1 day.


RESULTS
Around 50% of climbers had sustained > or = 1 injury in the past 12 months, causing a total of 275 distinct anatomical injuries. 21 climbers (10%) had sustained acute climbing injuries as a result of a fall, 67 (33%) had chronic overuse injuries, and 57 (28%) had acute injuries caused by strenuous climbing moves. Dedicated climbers participating in different forms of rock climbing more often and at a higher level of technical difficulty may be more prone to injury, particularly overuse injuries of the finger and shoulder. The principal sources of treatment or advice sought by climbers were physiotherapists (18%), other climbers (14%) and doctors (11%).


CONCLUSIONS
Climbing frequency and technical difficulty are associated with climbing injuries occurring at both indoor and outdoor venues, particularly cumulative trauma to the upper extremities.
Carnegie Sports Injury Clinic, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK.
G
G
Jones
A
A
Asghar
D J
DJ
Llewellyn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires