Stability, functionality, balance, and muscle strength in CrossFit athletes with and without pain

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the stability, functionality, balance, and muscular strength of the upper and lower extremities between CrossFit athletes with and without musculoskeletal pain. Methods: The study included 65 individuals between the ages of 20-45 who did CrossFit training. The Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire (NMQ-E) was used for musculoskeletal system problems, the Upper and Lower Extremity Y Balance Test (YBT) was used for lower and upper extremity balance assessments, respectively, the Single Leg Hop Test (SLHT) was used for functional performance assessments, the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) and Closed Kinetic Chain Lower Extremity Stability Tests (CKCLEST) were used for stability assessment, and an isokinetic dynamometer was used for muscle strength assessment of the athletes included in the study. The study was registered on the Clinical Trials website by the number NCT05682534. Results: The most frequently reported injury sites in CrossFit athletes were found to be shoulders (49.02%), waist (39.22%), knee (37.25%), and wrist (13.73%), respectively. While it was determined that there were statistically significant differences between the CKCLEST of athletes experiencing low back pain compared to those who did not (p < 0.05, p = 0.026), no differences were found between those with and without pain in any other measurement results (p > 0.05). Conclusions: While it was observed that CrossFit athletes frequently had musculoskeletal system pain in the shoulder, waist, knee and wrist regions, balance, stability, strength, and functional performance were not affected despite the athletes' pain.