Review on Identifying the Causes and Frequency of Weight-training Injuries and their Prevention Strategies

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and frequency of weight-‎training Injuries. Methods: To conduct this research, background research was performed using search engines from 1980 to 2018. In the next step, after excluding unrelated articles, articles containing information on weight-training injury and prevention of sports injuries were selected. Results: The results revealed that men are more injured than women. The major location of injuries in weight training was the upper part of trunk (25.1%), the lower part of trunk (21%), hands (17.9%), legs (12.7%), and head (11.9%). Furthermore, the major types of injury were sprain and strain (47.2%). In addition, most injuries from weight training occurred in ages 14-18 and 23-30 in hands and upper body respectively. Strain and sprain were the most common injuries for 13-34. The injury was different in women; most injuries in women occurred from the ankle down and trunk. Movements causing injuries included deadlift, squat, chest press, and overhead press. Conclusions: Injury occurred less in women compared with men in strength training. Lower body was injured more than the upper body in women. Injury in those with 14-18 years old results from lack of knowledge about the use of machines and fall of weights on limbs. On the other hand, those with 23-30 years of age tend to use heavier weights which can lead to ligaments injuries. It is recommended that sports coaches teach correct and risky exercises to athletes for injury prevention.Keywords: Epidemiology, Resistance training, Weight training, Injury prevention, Sports injur