ABS 021: Injury Patterns in Weightlifting: An Epidemiological Analysis of Emergency Visits (2014–2023)

Anant Jhaveri ¹ , Aditya Jhaveri ² , Sahil Sethi ² , Marcus Allen ² , Praneeth Tummala ¹ , Peter V. Dinh ³ , David Bruni ³ , Brett D. Owens ³

¹ Brown University, Providence, RI
² The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
³ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI

Van Wickle (2025) Volume 1, ABS 021

Introduction: Background: Weightlifting has increasingly gained popularity to improve both physical and mental health. However, access to training facilities was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic likely impacting weightlifting capacity. Limited research exists on the impact of the pandemic on weightlifting injury trends. The purpose of this study was to analyze weightlifting injury trends across age and gender, comparing pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID periods. We hypothesize that returning to weightlifting post-COVID without adequate reconditioning may contribute to an increase in injuries, particularly among young adults.

Methods: Data were obtained from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s NEISS, a stratified probability sample of 100 US hospitals. CPSC coders reviewed ED records daily, entering demographic, injury, and treatment data. Weighted NEISS data estimated national injury counts. Weight training-related injuries (product code 3265) from 2014–2023 were reviewed (N=25,785); cases unrelated to weight training (N=6,794) and those with incomplete data (N=6) were excluded, yielding N=18,985. Variables included age, gender, injury year, body region, diagnosis, disposition, and exercise type. Body regions were grouped into 8 categories, and diagnoses into 9, consistent with prior NEISS research. Data were analyzed in Python using statsmodels and scipy, adjusting for sampling weights and survey design per CPSC guidelines. Chi-square tests, linear regressions, ANOVA, and Z-tests were used; p<.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: From 2014–2023, an estimated 767,174 weightlifting-related injuries occurred. Injuries dropped 34.95% in 2020 during the pandemic (p<0.001), from a pre-COVID mean of 1,993 to 1,297 cases, then rose 47.19% post-COVID to 1,909 annually, 4.24% below pre-COVID levels. Strains/sprains were most common and dropped 43.83% during COVID, then recovered partially post-COVID (28.17% below pre-COVID; p<0.001). Fractures, lacerations, and internal injuries surpassed pre-COVID levels. Males comprised 79.21% of injuries. The upper trunk was the most affected region (35%). Injury trends by age indicated that 19–34-year-olds were most affected.

Discussion: This study analyzed weightlifting-related injuries from 2014–2023 and found a COVID-associated dip in 2020, followed by a gradual rebound. Despite rising participation in recent years, overall injury rates remained relatively stable, contrasting prior studies showing sharp increases. Young adults (19–34) sustained the most injuries, with adolescents (13–18) also heavily affected, highlighting these groups as key targets for prevention. Factors like improper form, overuse, and psychosocial pressures likely contribute. Injury prevention efforts—especially education on safe lifting—should prioritize youth populations. Males accounted for 79% of injuries, though women experienced higher rates of head, foot, and leg injuries, warranting targeted training guidance.