Exercise Selection and Common Injuries in Fitness Centers: A Systematic Integrative Review and Practical Recommendations

Abstract

Weight resistance training (RT) is an essential component of physical conditioning programs to improve the quality of life and physical fitness in different ages and populations. This integrative review aimed to analyze the scientific evidence on the relationship between exercise selection and the appearance of musculoskeletal injuries in physical fitness centers (PFC). The PubMed or Medline, EMBASE or Science Direct, Google Scholar and PEDro databases were selected to examine the available literature using a Boolean algorithm with search terms. The review process was performed using the five-stage approach for an integrative review and it was reported according to the PRISMA in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport Medicine and Sports Science (PERSiST) guidelines. A total of 39 peer-reviewed articles (Price index = 71.7%) met the inclusion criteria and evaluated the link between exercise selection and the incidence of injuries in exercisers who regularly attend PFC. Most injuries occur to the shoulders, elbows, vertebrae of the spine, and knees. Although the injury etiologies are multifactorial, the findings of the reviewed articles include the impacts of overuse, short post-exercise recovery periods, poor conditioning in the exercised body areas, frequent use of heavy loads, improper technique in certain exercises, and the abuse of performance- and image-enhancing drugs. Practical recommendations addressed to clinical exercise physiologists, exercise professionals, and health professionals are given in this paper. The exercise selection in RT programs requires professional supervision and adhering to proper lifting techniques and training habits that consider the anatomical and biomechanical patterns of the musculoskeletal structures, as well as genetic, pedagogical, and methodological aspects directly related to the stimulus–response process to mitigate the occurrence of RT-related injuries in PFC.

Adaptogens on Depression-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Integrative Review and Rationale of Synergism with Physical Activity

“…We aimed to perform a systematic integrative review on the effects of several adaptogens on depression-related outcomes besides evaluating the potential combination with physical exercise to optimize results. Similar to previous reports in peri- and postmenopausal women [ 89 ] and healthy individuals [ 90 ], it has been found that certain adaptogens might have low-to-moderate clinical effects to relieve anxiety and mild depression [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. It is important to note that the number of articles reporting the level of physical activity is very low and null for those combining an exercise program with adaptogen consumption.…”

“…In addition, we used the optimized methodology established by Hopia et al [ 32 ] for the evaluation and analysis of scientific publications, including problem formulation, a literature search, evaluation, analysis, and presentation of findings. The systematic integrative approach has been used previously in health-related topics [ 33 , 34 , 35 ]. The results were reported according to the established guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [ 36 ].…”

Nutritional Strategies in the Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Athletes: A Systematic Integrative Review

“…The aim was to synthesize the occurrence of literature regarding nutrition interventions for the injured athlete. Similar to previously published articles [ 36 ], the review methodology was enhanced by optimizing the stages of literature search, data evaluation, and data analysis in order to systematize the review process and improve the scientific soundness according to recommendations given by Hopia et al [ 37 ] and the PRISMA in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport Medicine and Sports Science (PERSiST) guidelines [ 38 ]. The protocol of this review was published and freely accessible at Figshare to avoid unnecessary duplication (DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.21399696).…”

Assessing the Impact of Strength Training on Shoulder Pathology in Athletes

“…Both leisure and competitive RT has been associated with injuries (Pirruccio and Kelly, 2019). RT injuries result from losing control while using weights and misusing equipment and can result in adaptive complications (Bonilla et al, 2022). However, the effect of continuous RT on the glenohumeral joint is unknown (Kolber et al, 2017).…”