The epidemiology of rock climbing injuries

Gareth Jones ¹, Amanda Asghar ² and David J Llewellyn ^3*

¹ Carnegie Sports Injury Clinic, United Kingdom
² Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
³ University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dl355{at}medschl.cam.ac.uk.

Accepted 20 November 2007

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 Britain. Participants: Two-hundred and one active rock climbers (163 male) aged 16 to 62 years. Assessment of risk factors: Rock climbing behaviours and key demographics. Main outcome measures: Injuries requiring medical attention or withdrawal from participation for one day or more. Results: Some 50% of climbers had sustained one or more injury in the last 12 months, causing a total of 275 distinct anatomical injuries. Twenty-one 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 frequently 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 physicians (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.

Key Words: Accidental falls, Arm injuries, Cumulative trauma disorders, Hand injuries, Wounds and injuries

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