title: An Epidemiological Profile of CrossFit Athletes in Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CrossFit is a conditioning and training program that has been gaining recognition and interest among the physically active population. Approximately 440 certified and registered CrossFit fitness centers and gyms exist in Brazil, with approximately 40,000 athletes. To date, there have been no epidemiological studies about the CrossFit athlete in Brazil.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the profile, sports history, training routine, and presence of injuries among athletes of CrossFit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive epidemiological study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was based on a questionnaire administered to CrossFit athletes from various specialized fitness centers in Brazil. Data were collected from May 2015 to July 2015 through an electronic questionnaire that included demographic data, level of sedentary lifestyle at work, sports training history prior to starting CrossFit, current sports activities, professional monitoring, and whether the participants experienced any injuries while practicing CrossFit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 622 questionnaires were received, including 566 (243 women [42.9%] and 323 men [57.1%]) that were completely filled out and met the inclusion criteria and 9% that were incompletely filled out. Overall, 176 individuals (31.0%) mentioned having experienced some type of injury while practicing CrossFit. We found no significant difference in injury incidence rates regarding demographic data. There was no significant difference regarding previous sports activities because individuals who did not practice prior physical activity showed very similar injury rates to those who practiced at any level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CrossFit injury rates are comparable to those of other recreational or competitive sports, and the injuries show a profile similar to weight lifting, power lifting, weight training, Olympic gymnastics, and running, which have an injury incidence rate nearly half that of soccer.
authors.affiliation: Sports Trauma Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jan W C
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sprey
authors.affiliation: Healthy Clinic, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Sports Trauma Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Sports Trauma Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aires
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Sports Trauma Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Jorge
authors.affiliation: Sports Trauma Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santili
keywords: CrossFit; competitive exercise; cross-sectional study; fitness; weight lifting