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Epidemiology of injury in powerlifting: retrospective results

Conference Paper · January 2003

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3 authors:

Justin W L Keogh Patria Hume

Bond University Auckland University of Technology
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Simon Pearson
Queensland Academy of Sport
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 Epidemiology of Injury in Powerlifting: retrospective results
J. Keogh*, P. Hume & S. Pearson
Sport Performance Research Centre, Division of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology

Powerlifting is a sport conducted in a similar manner to Olympic weightlifting, but where strength is
assessed via the squat, bench press and deadlift exercises. As little injury data exists for
powerlifting, the present study was conducted to investigate the injury epidemiology and aetiology
in powerlifters (n = 101) of varying ages, body masses, genders and competitive standards. Self-
reported retrospective injury data were obtained via a four-page injury questionnaire. A total of 118
injuries were reported, equating to approximately 1.2 111.1 injuries per lifter per year and 4.4 I14.8
injuries per 1000 hours of training. The most common injury sites were the shoulder (36%), lower
back (24%), elbow (12%) and knee (9%). These injuries were generally of a mild (39%) or
moderate (39%) severity, necessitating either modification of, or abstinence from performing one
exercise for a period of one or more weeks. International-level competitors had significantly fewer
injuries per 1000 hours of training than national-level competitors. A number of significant
differences were also observed for the proportion of injuries at the shoulder, chest, thigh and
"other" sites when comparing across age, gender and competitive standard. Consequently,
powerlifting has a minimal level of injury risk, and the risks appear somewhat independent of the
lifter's age, body mass or gender. In order to further reduce the risk and severity of injury,
powerlifters may need to improve muscle balance and flexibility, particularly at or around the
shoulder, lower back, elbow and knee.

Routine surveillance of injury and injury prevention behaviour in

N e w Zealand club rugby
D. Chalmers*, P. Gulliver & S. Stephenson
Injury Prevention Research Unit

Over the past decade, considerable effort has been made to promote injury prevention in Rugby
Union football. This began with the Rugby Injury and Performance Project (RIPP), undertaken to
identify risk factors for injury, and was followed by Tackling Rugby Injury, a pilot injury prevention
programme. Currently, RugbySmart, a national injury prevention programme, is being
implemented by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). To monitor the effectiveness of such
programmes, valid and reliable methods are required for recording the incidence, nature and
circumstances of injury, and the injury prevention behaviour of players. This paper will describe
the development and evaluation of a system for undertaking routine surveillance of injury and injury
prevention behaviour in club rugby players. The system was piloted in 2002, with a cohort of 630
players sampled from the NZRU's player data base. The players were recruited prior to
commencement of club competition and then followed-up throughout the season by means of
telephone interviews. Data were collected on practices, games, injury prevention behaviour and
injuries. The computer-based system allows for exposure based injury incidence rates to be
estimated, injuries to be described, and adherence to components of the RugbySmart programme
to be monitored. The incidence rate in 2002 was 8.3 injuries per 100 player-games, which
compared favourably with the rate of 10.9 injuries per 100 player-games recorded in RIPP. The
pattern of injury has changed little over the decade. Mouthguards were worn in 85% of games.
Evaluation of the system against international guidelines will be discussed.

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