Retrospective survey of sport climbing injuries and self-care in the Gunma prefecture.
Daichi Asakawa, Masaaki Sakamoto
PMID 31037004WHAT IT FOUND
Among 113 sport climbers surveyed in Gunma prefecture, finger and wrist injuries were most common; ankle injuries were all sudden onset.
Only 25.7% reported cooling down, while 88.5% warmed up.
Key findings
01Of 113 validated respondents, 85 reported a history of climbing-related injuries.
02Finger and wrist injuries were the most common locations, with 28 finger injuries and 23 wrist injuries.
03Warming up was reported by 88.5% of respondents, while cooling down was reported by 25.7%.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
This was a self-completed questionnaire, so responses may be biased. Injury incidence was based on climbing history, not hours or number of climbs, so exposure was not measured. Injuries without rest days and injuries not meeting established definitions or requiring medical attention were counted. The sample was 113 validated respondents from 7 climbing gyms in Gunma prefecture, Japan, and included 91 males and 22 females. The survey reported self-care rates and injury histories separately; it did not show an effect of self-care on injury risk.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that warming up or cooling down prevents climbing injuries. This survey reported self-care rates and injury histories, but it did not compare injury risk between climbers who warmed up or cooled down and those who did not.