Title : Obstacle course racing: Uncovering the demographics, training practices, and injury risks of the popular sport
Abstract:
Background: Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a popular sport that combines endurance, strength, and athleticism. Despite its popularity, there is limited research on the demographic characteristics, training practices, and injury patterns of OCR athletes. This study is the largest included sample size of OCR participants to evaluate injury prevalence, associated risk factors, and correlations with training practices.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 176 OCR athletes aged 18–67 years who participated in at least one OCR within the past year since completing the survey. Data on demographics, training history, and injury patterns were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Among the 176 participants, 44.9% reported a history of OCR-related injury in the past 12 months. The most commonly injured body parts were the foot and ankle (31.6%), followed by the shoulder (21.5%) and knee (17.7%). Of those injured, 17.7% sought on-site medical attention, and 60.8% pursued further medical evaluation post-event, with 3.9% requiring surgical intervention. Most injuries occurred while navigating obstacles (54.4%) and were frequently attributed to pre-existing conditions (26.6%) or inadequate preparation (17.7%). A significant correlation was observed between injury rates and participation in age-group or competitive heats (p=0.012). Those with extensive OCR experience (20+ lifetime events) reported fewer injuries than intermediate participants (4–10 events, p=0.024). These findings underscore the potential for injury mitigation through improved preparation and safety protocols.
Conclusions: This study highlights the demanding nature of OCR and its associated injury risks. Findings suggest that injuries are often influenced by race-specific factors such as obstacle difficulty and participant preparedness rather than demographic characteristics. Improved safety protocols, targeted training programs, and enhanced medical support at events could mitigate risks and enhance athlete safety. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to further investigate causative factors and injury prevention strategies in OCR.
