Epidemiology of sport climbing injuries caused by a climbing fall among climbers of the French Federation of Mountain and Climbing

• Luiggi Maxime
• Lafaye Pascal
• Martha Cécile

BACKGROUND: Fall-related injuries (FRIs) are the most severe sport climbing injuries. The main objective of this study was to measure FRI prevalence and risk factors in a representative sample of climbers of the French Federation of Mountain and Climbing. The second objective was to explore FRI mechanisms. METHODS: 3919 climbers aged 16+ participated in this study. They were invited to fill out an online questionnaire where they reported sociodemographics, sport-related characteristics and whether they had sustained an FRI in the past 12 months (12-FRI), and over their entire career (ALL-FRI). The mechanisms of 12-FRI were asked for. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between sport-related characteristics and FRI. RESULTS: 9% of the participants reported a 12-FRI and 29% an ALL-FRI. No statistically significant effect of sex, context of climbing, or onsight level was observed on 12-FRI. Climbers with 0-3 years of experience (YE) were 1.7 (95% CI=1.2-2.6) and 3.6 (95% CI=2.2-6.3) times more likely to have sustained a 12-FRI compared with those with 5-8 YE and 14-23 YE, respectively. An interaction effect was found between YE and onsight level. Among climbers with 0-8 YE, those with a higher onsight level had a higher risk of 12-FRI. Natural falls, unexpected falls and static belaying were the most commonly reported 12-FRI mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight that future FRI prevention programs should target as a priority inexperienced climbers who have progressed rapidly. Climbers should be taught as a priority (i) to stay focused while belaying even in the least difficult passage, and (ii) to belay dynamically.