A cross-sectional study of musculoskeletal injuries related to exercise among gym members in Saudi Arabia in 2022: prevalence, common types, and predictor factors

Background Despite the importance of enhancing exercise, exercising can cause injuries that lead to disability and increase the load on the medical sector. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of exercise-related injuries among gym members in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and evaluate the more common types of such injuries. It also investigated the association between injury prevalence and the factors selected. Methods A cross-sectional study with a self-reported survey was conducted targeting members of Fitness Time gyms across the KSA. The survey consisted of three parts: part one concerns participant demographic data and part two contains four questions regarding the participants' training experience. Part three contains ten questions targeting those with a history of injury. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Crosstabs and chi-squared tests were used to assess the prevalence of exercise-related injuries when appropriate. Binary logistic regression was employed to investigate the association between injury prevalence and the potential associated factors. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated and the threshold for statistical significance was set at p <= 0.05. Results A total of 713 subjects participated in the study. The mean age was 36.5 +/- 11.2 years and (n = 422, 59.2%) of the participants were female. The study found a prevalence of injury among gym members of about (n = 404, similar to 57%). The most commonly reported types of injuries were muscle strain (n = 126, 37%) and bruising (n = 45, 13%). The most prevalent anatomical location of injury was the knee (n = 287, 84.3%), followed by the shoulder (n = 283, 83.3%), and the least common was the head/neck (n = 7, 2.1%). The present study suggests some factors associated with exercise-related injury. A significant statistical association (p < 0.5) was found between injury prevalence and age, gender, educational level, period of training, and presence of a trainer. However, no association was detected between injury prevalence and Body Mass Index (BMI), place of residence, or source of advice. Conclusion Over half of the participants of this study reported at least one exercise-related injury. This study identifies factors associated with injury prevalence related to exercise among gym participants. Promoting safety and minimizing the incidence of injuries are crucial.