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Increased interest in high-intensity interval training linked with increased injury rate
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Published results showed a correlation between an increased interest of high-intensity interval training and a greater risk for injury, especially in the knees and shoulders of patients.
“Athlete safety is of the utmost importance,” Nicole D. Rynecki, BA, lead author of the study, told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “While the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks, we hope to engage health care providers and fitness professionals in an interdisciplinary approach to injury prevention prior to participation in [high-intensity interval training] HIIT.”
To estimate injury incidence related to HIIT, Rynecki and colleagues queried the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2007 through 2016, calculated the injury incidence and compared the rates between 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016. Researchers also used Google Trends to determine the popularity of HIIT during the same time period.
Results showed an estimated 3,988,903 injuries, of which men aged 20 years to 39 years of age had the highest rate of injury. Researchers found injuries were most common in the lower extremity (35.3%), trunk (28.5%) and upper extremity (19.6%). The rate in all injuries had a 144% increase from 2012 to 2016 vs. 2007 to 2011. Researchers noted trunk injuries, lower extremity injuries and upper extremity injuries increased 159%, 137% and 132%, respectively, as well as an increase in lower extremity strains of 127%, upper extremity strains of 124% and knee and ankle sprains of 125%. Results showed a 274% increase in HIIT interest correlated with the increase in injury incidence.
“Physicians should advise new athletes to approach their HIIT training with prudence. Pre-participation screening and consultation with a physician may be a successful way to identify risk factors,” Rynecki said. “This would enable the physician to offer tailored advice, such as the avoidance of specific movements or a recommendation for a pre-participation training regimen, to enable the athlete to acclimate to HIIT workouts in a more controlled setting.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Rynecki reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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