Relationship Between Resiliency, Personality Traits, Athletic Identity, and Dynamic Balance and Functional Performance with the Occurrence of Sports Injuries in Female Bodybuilders

Background: Bodybuilding is a widely embraced physical activity pursued for health enhancement and fitness improvement. However, reports indicate a notable prevalence of sports injuries among bodybuilders. Objectives: This study aims to explore the correlation between resiliency, personality traits, athletic identity, dynamic balance of upper and lower limbs, and functional performance with the occurrence of sports injuries in female bodybuilders, addressing a gap in previous research on this specific population. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Tehran from 2022 to 2023. Standardized questionnaires assessing personality traits, resiliency, athletic identity, and sports injuries, along with functional screening tests and the Y balance test for upper and lower limbs, were administered to 110 female bodybuilders (average age 36.8 ± 1.8). Results: The findings revealed that sports injuries are prevalent among female bodybuilders, with an average prevalence rate of 40.1%. The most commonly affected areas were the lower back (19.1%), knee (17.6%), and shoulder (14.7%). In terms of personality traits and resiliency, female bodybuilders with a history of injury exhibited higher mean scores in neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, and athletic identity compared to those without a history of injury (P < 0.05), while responsibility and resilience scores were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Moreover, the average scores of the lower limb Y balance test and FMS for female bodybuilders with a history of injury were significantly lower than those without a history of injury (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that athletic trainers and physiotherapists should consider these psychological and functional factors to help prevent sports injuries among female bodybuilders.