The epidemiology of rock-climbing injuries

G Jones, A Asghar, D J Llewellyn

Br. J. Sports Med. 2008;42;773-778; originally published online 7 Dec 2007;
doi:10.1136/bjsm.2007.037978

ABSTRACT:
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and nature of
rock-climbing injuries, and the factors associated with
these injuries.

Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.
Setting: Rock climbers were recruited at five outdoor and
six indoor climbing venues in the UK.

Participants: 201 active rock climbers (163 male, 38
female climbers) aged 16–62 years.

Assessment of risk factors: Rock climbing behaviours
and key demographics.

Main outcome measures: Injuries requiring medical
attention or withdrawal from participation for >1 day.

Results: Around 50% of climbers had sustained >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.