Why Doctors Are Rethinking CrossFit and Injury

Dr. Amy West has spent more than a decade bridging two worlds that rarely talk to each other: modern medicine and CrossFit. As a sports medicine physician and competitive CrossFit athlete, West has seen firsthand how high-intensity functional training can transform health, rehabilitation, and long-term physical function. But inside the medical world, CrossFit has long carried a reputation for being dangerous or extreme. In this conversation with Jocelyn Rylee, West explains how that perception developed and why the research now tells a very different story. They discuss the emerging science behind high-intensity functional training, how metabolic disease impacts musculoskeletal health, and why improving strength and movement quality can prevent injuries rather than cause them. West also shares insights from her new textbook on high-intensity functional training and explains why doctors should think of physical function as a vital sign alongside traditional biomarkers. This episode explores how CrossFit can help close the gap between healthcare and real-world fitness while giving people the tools to stay strong, independent, and capable for life. Topics Covered The medical evidence behind high-intensity functional training Why CrossFit injury rates compare favorably to other sports The connection between metabolic health and musculoskeletal injury Why physical function should be treated as a vital sign in medicine How CrossFit affiliates could become partners in healthcare Resources Mentioned Dr. Amy West “Built to Move” by Kelly Starrett “High Intensity Functional Training: Clinical Applications and Rehabilitation in Sport,” edited by Dr. Amy West Community Highlight  Bailey Steele built her whole identity around soccer. In the pursuit of being the best, training got harder, calories got lower, and every part of her life started revolving around performance and appearance. Eventually, her body gave out. Severe stomach pain sent her to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with SMA syndrome caused by extreme weight loss — along with anorexia. Treatment became a turning point. Being surrounded by others facing similar struggles helped Bailey see how dangerous it was to let food, weight, or sport define her worth. Now she’s rebuilding her identity around something deeper — her faith, and caring for her body so it can serve a greater purpose. Last year, Bailey got to experience the CrossFit Games as a VIP, including a private coaching session and a few unforgettable moments behind the scenes — a reminder of how far she’s come. Because in her darkest moment, one message stuck with her: Your story is not over.