ILIAC CREST HEIGHT DIFFERENCE AND OTHER RUNNING-RELATED VARIABLES' RELATIONSHIP WITH RUNNING INJURY.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Running Injury Prevention

Background:

• Leg-length inequality (LLI) is a common condition linked to spinal, pelvic, and lower extremity issues.
• Iliac crest height difference (ICHD) is a reliable indicator of LLI and may predict injury risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between ICHD, running variables, and running-related injuries.
• To identify risk factors for running injuries in recreational runners.

Main Methods:

• Observational retrospective case-control study.
• Data collected from 100 runners via questionnaire and physical examination.
• Chi-squared tests of independence used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Approximately 40% of runners reported ICHD ≥ 5mm.
• No significant difference in injury rates based on ICHD thresholds (≥5mm vs. <5mm).
• Lifetime injury history and participation in multiple running events were significant predictors of injury.

Conclusions:

• Small ICHD is not associated with running injuries in recreational runners.
• Runners with a history of injury or participating in multiple events annually face increased risk.
• Male runners may have a slightly higher risk of injury compared to females.