Using wearable technology data to explain recreational running injury: A prospective longitudinal feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Running Science

Background:

• Recreational runners often sustain injuries, and understanding training load is crucial for prevention.
• Wearable technology offers potential for monitoring training and identifying injury risk factors.
• Previous studies have explored wearable data, but feasibility in recreational runners needs further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of collecting and analyzing data from wristwatch inertial measurement units (IMU) and global positioning systems (GPS) in recreational runners.
• To identify variables, including training load and biomechanical data, associated with subsequent running injuries.

Main Methods:

• A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted with healthy recreational runners.
• Feasibility was determined by recruitment, acceptance, adherence, and data collection rates against pre-set thresholds.
• Participants' psychological health, sleep quality, and motivation were assessed using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
• Baseline anthropometric, biomechanical, metabolic, and training load data were extracted from IMU/GPS wristwatches.
• Weekly injury surveillance was performed over 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• The study successfully met feasibility thresholds: recruitment in 47 days, 89% acceptance, 70% adherence, and 92% data collection.
• 149 participants consented, with 86 completing the study, and 21 sustaining injuries (0.46 injuries/1000km).
• A significant association was found between higher acute load (calculated effort) and subsequent injury (mean difference -562.14, 95% CI -1019.42, -21.53).

Conclusions:

• Collecting and analyzing wristwatch IMU/GPS data via a commercial platform is feasible in recreational runners.
• Acute training load, specifically calculated effort, is a key variable associated with subsequent injury risk.
• This approach provides a viable method for injury risk monitoring in recreational runners.