In a study of both trail and road runners, researchers from Belgium sought to investigate the risk factors for running-related injuries (RRIs).
They conducted an online survey of 3,669 injured and noninjured runners. Injury was defined as pain of various kinds, without attention to its consequences on running practice. The survey included 41 questions on 5 main categories—personal characteristics, daily lifestyle, training and running characteristics, practice of other sporting activities, and prevention habits—as well as information about the occurrence of RRIs over the previous 12 months. Continuous and qualitative variables were analyzed by Student t test and chi-square test, respectively.
Among the 3,669 runners, 1,852 (50.5%) reported at least 1 injury over the previous 12 months. Overuse injuries were reported by 60.6% of respondents. The variables associated with RRIs that remained significant in the fully adjusted model were:
- previous injury (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.42-1.86)
- higher weight (OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.00-1.012)
- competitive running (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.19-1.98)
- running >2 h/wk (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.01-1.62)
- running >20 km/wk (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.001-1.55), and
- stretching before running (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.25-1.71).
The authors concluded that previous injury remains the most relevant risk factor for RRIs according to their findings and previous data. Many training characteristics seem to be involved but still have to be confirmed in view of conflicting data in the literature. Further research would help clinicians better understand RRIs and how to prevent them.
Source: Sanfilippo D, Beaudart C, Gaillard A, Bornheim S, Bruyere O, Kaux J-F. What Are the Main Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Running-Related Injuries? A Retrospective Survey Based on 3669 Respondents. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2021;9(11).
