Determining the running-related injury risk factors in long distance runners

Abstract

Background Increased popularity in long-distance running over the last 30–40 years has induced an increase in the incidence of running-related injuries (RRI). Among others, running experience could be a determining factor in the RRI incidence. Objective To explore whether novice runners sustain more RRI than experienced runners and to determine RRI risk factor variables. Design Prospective epidemiological study. Setting A 27-week follow-up of runners at the Luxembourg National Sport Centre ending on the ING-Europe (semi)Marathon of Luxembourg (05.15.2010). Participants 39 compliant runners (40.2±8.5 years) out of the initial cohort (n=85). Assessment of risk factors Extrinsic, training-related characteristics (context, volume, etc). Main outcome measurements Running and other sports data were recorded using an innovative internet-based diary. Similarly, RRIs, which were defined as any pain or physical complaint impeding or altering a training session for at least 1 day, were recorded. Results From the 39 athletes, 14 were classified as novice runners (ie, <3 months of regular running during the 12 months before the training period). Overall RRI incidence was evaluated at 8.07 RRI/1000 h of running. The RRI incidence was 3.3 times higher (95%CI 1.27 to 8.54) in novice than in experienced runners (16.8 and 5.1 RRI/1000 h of running, respectively; p=0.009), confirming the initial hypothesis. Dichotomous RRI risk factors such as gender or running experience were not significant. RRI incidence was significantly associated with a lower competition volume per week, a lower number of training session, a lower percentage of competition run on a soft surface and a higher average work rate (av. HR/(220-age) during competition. A logistic regression including all individual variables with a p-value<0.2 yielded no significant results. Conclusion Although the initial hypothesis was confirmed, no risk factors were significant within the logistic regression. In order to be able to construct an individual RRI risk profile, a greater sample size is necessary to provide more conclusive results.

What do people think about running barefoot/with minimalist footwear? A thematic analysis

“…One claim made by advocates of barefoot or minimalist running is that these practices can reduce the risk of injury, compared to conventional running shoes (Parker-Pope, 2006). In the past 30 years, as recreational athletics have increased in popularity, the incidence of running-related overuse injuries has also increased (Genin, Mann, & Theisen, 2011). Up to 79% of runners experience one or more injury per year (Lun, Meeuwisse, Stergiou, & Stefanyshyn, 2004;Van Gent et al, 2007) and approximately 25% of runners are injured at any point in time (Fields, Skyes, Walker, & Jackson, 2010).…”

Running injuries in novice runners enrolled in different training interventions: a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…This RCT has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01900262) and approval for this research project was obtained from the University of Calgary's Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (Ethics ID: REB13‐0153). Novice recreational runners were recruited for this study as they have been shown to have a higher risk of running related injuries (Macera et al., ; Rolf, ; Tonoli et al., ; Genin et al., ; Videbæk et al., ). Inclusion criteria included the following: (1) less than 2 years of recent weekly running exposure, (2) 18–60 years of age, (3) no pain or injury within 3 months of testing, (4) running is the primary form of exercise and (5) no weekly resistance band or functional strength training in the previous year.…”

Epidemiología de las lesiones deportivas en deporte amateur en España : la carrera popular

“…En cuanto al tamaño muestral, encontramos estudios que, a pesar de calcular a priori un número de sujetos suficiente, tras la realización del estudio y el análisis estadístico concluyeron que la muestra fue demasiado pequeña (Genin et al, 2011). Concretamente en caso de realizar una regresión logística, como es el caso de esta tesis doctoral y del estudio citado previamente, la muestra debe tener una n potente para que los resultados realmente tengan un significado estadístico.…”

“…(2011), mostró una incidencia de lesiones producidas por la carrera 3,3 veces mayor en sujetos principiantes (16,8 lesiones/1000 horas de carrera) en relación con los expertos (5,1 lesiones/1000 horas de carrera) (Genin, Mann, & Theisen, 2011).…”