It is known that bodybuilding is a safe and effective way to perform exercises, although it is not risk-free. Its main risks for the musculoskeletal system revolve around joint overloads through repetitive use and failure in technical execution. Bodybuilding is one of the most common forms of physical activity. In view of this prior context and the lack of information about injuries suffered by bodybuilders, it is necessary to identify their possible risk factors, which may contribute to injury prevention planning in the future.

The objective of the present study was to identify the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of bodybuilders, as well as the main injuries affected in this public.

An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out. An online questionnaire was applied through the google forms platform, the inclusion criteria being Residents of the state of São Paulo, who practice bodybuilding in the state of São Paulo on a recreational or professional basis between 18 and 65 years old. The SPSS software was used to calculate the average and percentage in the presentation of the results.

The study analyzed the results of 100 bodybuilders, predominantly aged between 18 and 25 years, most of whom were students or professionals in the field of biological sciences (47%), sleeping more than 6 hours a night (64 %), training in large branches (54%) 3 or 5 times a week (59%) with the main objective of hypertrophy (49%). The prevalence of injuries was 43%, with the shoulder (51%), lumbar spine (39.5%) and knee (27.9%) being the most affected site. 51% of the injuries are classified as overload injuries, reaching yet another profile of practitioners who set up their own training (46.5%).

The sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of bodybuilders in the study was homogeneous between genders, aged between 18 and 25 years, with a height of 1.69 m and a predominantly overweight BMI. Bodybuilding or +1 associated sport was practiced, who slept more than 6 hours a night with a hypertrophy goal. The prevalence of injuries among bodybuilders was 43%, with the most affected sites being the shoulder, lumbar spine and knee.

The study brings epidemiological data and musculoskeletal injuries in gym practitioners and their training routine, being important to understand the public due to the scarcity of studies in this area in Brazil. In this way, the data are relevant for researchers to carry out future studies and analyze risk factors associated with their practice, through descriptive data on bodybuilding. And the data is relevant for clinicians to take into account in their rehabilitation plans.