Prospective analysis of injury demographics, distribution, severity and risk factors in adolescent climbers

Schöffl V, Schöffl I, Jones G, Klinder A, Küpper T, Gunselmann L, Simon M, Moser O, Bayer T, Lutter C (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine BMJ Publishing Group

Book Volume: 11

Article Number: e002212

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002212

Abstract

Objective This study aims to prospectively analyse current demographics, distribution and severity of climbing injuries in adolescents. We hypothesised that the injury distribution of adolescent climbers would differ from adults, as presented in the literature and that primary periphyseal stress injuries of the finger (PPSI) will be very common and correlate with training hours and climbing level. Methods We performed a prospective single-centre injury surveillance of all adolescent (<18 years of age) climbers who presented between 2017 and 2020. A standard questionnaire, including questions for medical history, injury and training data and an examination protocol, was conducted in all patients. Injuries were graded, and risk factors, anthropometric specifics and stages of development were analysed. Injury epidemiology of adolescents was then compared with adults as presented in the literature. Results 137 independent climbing-related injuries were found in 95 patients. Injury onset was acute in 67 (48.9%) and chronic in 70 (51.8%). Forty-one injuries (29.9%) occurred during bouldering, 18 (13.1%) during lead climbing, 2 (1.5%) in speed climbing and 1 (0.7%) while training on the campus board. Average International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation injury score was 1.5±0.5 (range 0-3). Females had more training hours (p=0.004), more campus board use (p=0.004) and more acute injuries than males (p<0.001). 82% of the injuries affected the upper extremity and the most frequent injury was PPSI (45.3% of all injuries). Finger injuries were significantly more common in males than in females (p<0.05). The injury distribution in adolescent climbers differed significantly from adults (p<0.001). Conclusions Injured adolescent climbers had mostly chronic injuries affecting the upper extremity, with almost half of the injuries being PPSIs of the fingers. Further preventive measures targeting this type of injury need to be identified. Reducing the use of the finger crimp grip, monitoring the load, ensuring adequate recovery and targeted education appear to be crucial.

Authors with CRIS profile

Volker Rainer Schöffl
Michael Simon Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

Involved external institutions

Leeds Beckett University GB United Kingdom (GB) Universitätsmedizin Rostock DE Germany (DE) Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen DE Germany (DE) Sozialstiftung Bamberg DE Germany (DE) Universität Bayreuth DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Fürth DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schöffl, V., Schöffl, I., Jones, G., Klinder, A., Küpper, T., Gunselmann, L.,... Lutter, C. (2025). Prospective analysis of injury demographics, distribution, severity and risk factors in adolescent climbers. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002212

MLA:

Schöffl, Volker, et al. "Prospective analysis of injury demographics, distribution, severity and risk factors in adolescent climbers." BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine 11.1 (2025).

BibTeX: Download