20.
Running-related injuries among novice runners: A one year
prospective follow-up study.
R.O. Nielsen, I. Buist, H. Sørensen, M. Lind, S. Rasmussen
Department of Public Health Aarhus University, Denmark; Center for Sports
Medicine, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Public
Health, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Orthopaedics, Aarhus
University Hospital, THG, Denmark; Orthopaedic Research Unit., Aalborg
Hospital, Aarhus University, Denmark
Background:
The most frequent running-related injuries (RRI) among
recreational runners are patella femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), iliotibial band
syndrome (ITBS), plantar fasciitis, meniscal injuries, and medial tibial stress
syndrome (MTSS). However, no studies have investigated the frequency of
RRI among novice runners in a prospective study.
Purpose / Aim of Study:
The purpose of this study was to describe the most
prevalent musculoskeletal RRI among inactive persons taking up a one year
running regime.
Materials and Methods:
Healthy participants between 18 and 65 years of age,
who have not been running on a regular basis in the previous twelve months,
were eligible for inclusion. During the follow-up period participants had to
take up running with a minimum of 52 training sessions. GPS was used to
quantify training patterns in each session. In case of RRI, the participant
attended a clinical examination and diagnose was registered.
Findings / Results:
A total of 933 inactive persons were included. Among
women (n = 465) mean age and BMI were 36.8 ± 10.0 and 25.4 ± 4.2, while
age and BMI for males were 37.6 ± 10.6 and 26.6 ± 3.8, respectively. Two
hundred and sixteen participants sustained at least one RRI during follow- up.
The cumulative risk of sustaining an injury after 500 kilometers of running
was approximately 55 %. MTSS was the most common diagnosis (n = 31, 14.4
%),
followed by PFPS (n = 21, 9.7 %), meniscal injuries (n = 19, 8.8 %),
achillestendinopathy (n = 14, 6.5 %), and ITBS (n = 12, 5.6 %). Median
duration per recovered injury was 54.5 days (interquartile range 45.5).
Conclusions:
The risk of injury after 500 kilometers of running among novice
runners is 55 %. MTSS and PFPS were the two most frequently diagnosed
injuries.
