Drawing lines in the sand: The evolution of Dutch coastal policy

Multi Actor SystemsTechnology, Policy and Managemen

Incidence and Risk Factors for Upper Extremity Climbing Injuries in Indoor Climbers

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for climbing-related injuries of the upper extremities in recreational climbers. A total of 426 recreational climbers were recruited from indoor climbing halls. The baseline questionnaire included questions on potential risk factors for climbing injuries: personal factors, climbing-related factors and upper extremity injuries that had occurred in the previous 12 months. Follow-up questionnaires collected information on new injuries that occurred during the follow-up period. The incidence of climbing-related injuries during one-year follow-up was 42.4% with 13 injuries per 1000h of climbing. The finger was the most frequently affected injury location (36.0%). The following risk factors were associated with the occurrence of upper extremity injuries: higher age (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01;1.05), performing a cooling-down (OR 2.02, 95%CI 1.28;3.18), climbing with campus board (OR 2.48, 95%CI 1.23;5.02), finger strength middle finger (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.05;1.18) and previous injuries (OR 3.05, 95%CI 2.01;4.83). Climbing injuries of the upper body extremities are very common among recreational climbers in indoor halls and several risk factors can be identified that are related to a higher injury risk