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High school cross country running injuries: a longitudinal study.
M J Rauh1, A J Margherita, S G Rice
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98052, USA.
Summary
High school girls cross country runners experience higher injury rates than boys, with shin injuries being most common. This 15-year study highlights significant differences in initial and reinjury rates between genders.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Athletic Training
- Epidemiology of Sports Injuries
Background:
- Cross country running is a popular high school sport.
- Understanding injury patterns is crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence rate of injury among high school cross country runners.
- To compare injury rates between male and female athletes over a 15-year period.
Main Methods:
- Prospective-longitudinal study design.
- Surveillance of 199 cross country teams from 23 high schools (1979-1994).
- Data collected on injuries sustained during practices and meets.
Main Results:
- Overall injury rate was 13.1 per 1,000 athletic exposures (AEs).
- Girls exhibited significantly higher overall injury rates (16.7/1,000 AEs) than boys (10.9/1,000 AEs).
- Shin injuries were most frequent, with higher initial and reinjury rates in girls for specific body locations.
Conclusions:
- Girl cross country runners face a higher risk of injury and reinjury compared to boy runners.
- Injury risk differences between genders were consistent over the 15-year study period.
- Most injuries resulted in 4 days or less of disability.