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Injuries in women associated with a periodized strength training and running program.
K L Reynolds1, E A Harman, R E Worsham
1Military Performance Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts 01760, USA.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|November 16, 2001
Summary
A 24-week physical training program for women improved performance in lifting, load carriage, and running. Most injuries were overuse-related, but few participants dropped out due to injury.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Physical Training
Background:
- Physical training programs are crucial for enhancing performance in women.
- Understanding injury rates and types is essential for program optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a comprehensive physical training program on women's performance.
- To document and analyze training-related injuries during the program.
Main Methods:
- Forty-five women participated in a 24-week program including weightlifting, running, and load carriage.
- Physicians passively monitored all training-related injuries.
- Performance metrics and injury data were collected.
Main Results:
- Significant performance improvements were observed in lifting, load carriage, and running.
- Twenty-two women (48.9%) experienced at least one injury, primarily overuse injuries of the lower back, knees, and feet.
- Only 2 participants withdrew due to injury, with an injury rate of 2.8 per 1,000 training hours.
Conclusions:
- Combined strength training and running programs effectively enhance performance in women.
- The training program demonstrated a good safety profile, with minimal dropouts attributed to injuries.
- Overuse injuries are common but manageable within such training regimens.