Abstract
Weightlifting has become an increasingly popular form of exercise that has been
shown to have many health benefits but can be dangerous if performed improperly.
The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of lower body
weightlifting injuries in the United States. The National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System database was queried from January 1, 2012, to December 31,
2021, for lower body injuries related to using weightlifting equipment.
Demographics, diagnosis, disposition, and mechanism of injury (MOI) were
analyzed. There were 7,773 lower extremity weightlifting injuries identified
from 2012–2021, giving a national estimate of 311,842 injuries. The most common
MOI was dropped weight (n=1785, 22.96%). Deadlifts were the most cited exercise
that led to lower extremity injury (n=503, 6.47%). Males were more likely than
females to be injured (76% males vs. 24% females; p<0.001), especially by
compound movements with free weights including squats (79.63% males vs. 19.96%
females, p<0.03) and deadlifts (83.89% males vs. 16.10% females, p<0.001).
Nearly all injuries were treated as outpatient but those admitted to the
hospital were significantly older than those treated as outpatients (38.0 years
vs. 31.2 years, p<0.05). Weightlifting carries a high risk of injury due to
the intensity and technique required for the different movements involved.
Keywords
weightlifting - lower body - epidemiology - trauma - injury
