Kinetic risk factors of running‐related injuries in female recreational runners

Abstract

Our objective was to prospectively investigate the association of kinetic variables with running-related injury (RRI) risk. Seventy-four healthy female recreational runners ran on an instrumented treadmill while 3D kinetic and kinematic data were collected. Kinetic outcomes were vertical impact transient, average vertical loading rate, instantaneous vertical loading rate, active peak, vertical impulse, and peak braking force (PBF). Participants followed a 15-week half-marathon training program. Exposure time (hours of running) was calculated from start of program until onset of injury, loss to follow-up, or end of program. After converting kinetic variables from continuous to ordinal variables based on tertiles, Cox proportional hazard models with competing risks were fit for each variable independently, before analysis in a forward stepwise multivariable model. Sixty-five participants were included in the final analysis, with a 33.8% injury rate. PBF was the only kinetic variable that was a significant predictor of RRI. Runners in the highest tertile (PBF < -0.27 BW) were injured at 5.08 times the rate of those in the middle tertile and 7.98 times the rate of those in the lowest tertile. When analyzed in the multivariable model, no kinetic variables made a significant contribution to predicting injury beyond what had already been accounted for by PBF alone. Findings from this study suggest PBF is associated with a significantly higher injury hazard ratio in female recreational runners and should be considered as a target for gait retraining interventions.

Using real‐time biofeedback to alter running biomechanics: A randomized controlled trial

“…RFS runners have demonstrated significantly greater average vertical ground reaction force loading rates (AVLR), greater maximum braking forces, greater negative work of the ankle dorsiflexors, and greater negative work of the knee extensors than runners using a non‐rearfoot strike pattern (NRFS) . These biomechanical parameters have been associated with greater tissue stress and potentially increased injury risk . Proponents of running styles with a more anterior landing pattern claim that employing this technique will reduce injuries .…”

Long‐term efficacy of conditioning training program combined with feedback on kinetics and kinematics in male runners

“…As one of the most popular fitness activity, running has been engaged by American people with 17 million participants during 2015 . In fact, about 79% of runners develop the running‐related injuries (RRIs) . Hence, a great number of these runners are not able to return to running because of such injuries .…”

“…In fact, about 79% of runners develop the running‐related injuries (RRIs) . Hence, a great number of these runners are not able to return to running because of such injuries . Patellofemoral pain (PFP), iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), medial tibial stress syndrome, and Achilles tendinopathy are instances of such common pains in runners .…”

“…Indeed, it is purposed to specifically identify the factors related to the development of RRIs, including those factors related to the hip and pelvis as the proximal factors, and those related to the foot and ankle as the distal one . As the role of these factors in the runners’ injuries development has been undetermined and disputed, a call for research on these factors is warranted to better understand etiology of common injuries in runners and their preventive actions …”

“…related to the hip and pelvis as the proximal factors, and those related to the foot and ankle as the distal one. 2,3 As the role of these factors in the runners' injuries development has been undetermined and disputed, a call for research on these factors is warranted to better understand etiology of common injuries in runners and their preventive actions. 3,6 It has been suggested that inability to control the motion of the lower extremity segments in the frontal and transverse planes mostly caused by abnormal biomechanics may be a potential risk factor for RRIs.…”