Prevalence and Localization of Injuries and Pain in Swedish Bodybuliding and Fitness Athletes

Abstract: Bodybuilding is a weight training sport similar to powerlifting, strongman, and Olympic weightlifting. Instead of performing a feat of strength in competition, the athletes are based on physical appearance. Information about injuries within the other sports are available. However, there are a low number of studies on competitive bodybuilding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and localization of injuries and pain in Swedish bodybuilding athletes. Additional aims were to investigate sex differences and the significance of explanatory variables. Data from 83 male and 105 female active bodybuilding athletes were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Athletes active within all of the available bodybuilding categories were included. The subjects were recruited through flyers in local gyms in Sweden and ads on social media. Fifty-eight percent (109/188) of the athletes reported current pain during training and 74.5 % (140/188) have been injured at least once during their competitive career. The rate of injury was calculated as 0.27 injuries per athlete per year. There were 0.42 injuries per 1000h of exercise. Injuries in competitive bodybuilding are less common compared to other weight training sports. In agreement with earlier studies, the most prevalent anatomical localizations of injury were the shoulders, lower back/buttocks, and knees. There were no notable differences in sex regarding injury localizations. Age, training frequency, calorie intake and medical care were associated with having an injury