Body Composition Role in Predicting Sports Injuries: A Systematic Review

Introduction: This study aimed to review the literature on the role of body composition as a risk factor for injury in athletic people. Methods: We searched articles in English in Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases without a time limit until 2020 using keywords related to “body composition” and “sports injury”. Results: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 papers out of 1322 studies were comprehensively reviewed. It was found that body composition components are related to musculoskeletal injuries in the athletic population. Body mass index, weight, and bone density are found as risk factors in the development of sports injuries. Conclusion: This systematic review provides preliminary evidence of the association between body composition and the prediction of injury in athletes. Defects in various aspects of body composition were recognized as potential risk factors for lower extremity injuries. Likewise, body composition should be considered in screening athletes.