29 Aug 2022

652 injuries from high intensity workouts activity last year

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 29 August 2022
Group of young muscular adult male and females lifting large barbells in cross-fit class with thick mats and brick walls

Photo: 123rf

Hundreds of injuries from high intensity interval training such as Crossfit and F45 are being reported to ACC each year, with a steep rise in the last four years.  HIIT involves a circuit of short bursts of intense exercise, usually cardio and weights, alternating with periods of recovery. But data from ACC shows the number of accidents is increasing each year, with 652 new claims last year alone.

Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of incidents, but fractures and dislocations, dental injuries, deafness, concussion and brain injuries, and lacerations, punctures and stings have also been reported.

Kathryn speaks to David Woodbridge, the director and principal physiotherapist at Functional Physio, in Mt Eden who has been treating injuries as a result of HIIT and ACC's injury prevention leader James Whitaker.