An Analysis of Adaptation‑Related Issues of Hybrid Racing Fitness (HYROX/DEKA) for Participating Populations

Abstract

Hybrid racing fitness HYROX/DEKA has gained rapid popularity within the global fitness sector. European and American studies report a 24%‑38% prevalence of overuse injuries among participants, predominantly affecting the knee, hip and shoulder joints. Existing research draws heavily on European‑American Caucasian samples, lacking multi‑center empirical evidence for Asian populations, and the adaptability of the original training system for Asian cohorts remains unclear. This study adopts a China‑US dual‑center real‑world cohort study design, enrolling 229 Asian participants aged 18‑52 years, allocated into an original‑training group (n = 121) and a localized‑adaptation group (n = 108) (Klose, A., Schaffert, L., & Pfeiffer, M., 2023), with a 12‑month prospective follow‑up. Results reveal an overall training‑related injury incidence of 29.26 % among Asian participants, with overuse injuries accounting for 76.12 % of total injuries, markedly higher than figures reported for Western populations. After adjustment for baseline indicators, the localized hierarchical modification programme significantly reduces overuse‑injury risk (OR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.22‑0.76, P = 0.004). This study confirms adaptation incompatibilities between the original training system and Asian participants. The localized hierarchical modification protocol safely and effectively lowers sports‑injury risk, providing scientific references for hybrid racing‑fitness training across the Asia‑Pacific region.