Using Self-Reported Training Characteristics to Better Understand Who Is More Likely to Sustain Running-Related...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Running is a popular physical activity with inherent risks of running-related injuries (RRIs).
• Understanding risk factors for RRIs is crucial for injury prevention strategies in adult runners.
• Previous research has identified various factors contributing to RRIs, but specific correlations with running volume and experience require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between running habits and the likelihood of sustaining running-related injuries (RRIs) in adult runners.
• To identify specific running parameters, such as weekly frequency, distance, and program adherence, that correlate with RRI incidence.
• To determine if running experience (years) influences the risk of developing RRIs.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving 7391 adult runners using Garmin watches for data collection over 18 months.
• Self-reported data on running experience, weekly frequency and distance, and use of a structured running program were collected.
• Time-to-event statistics were employed to calculate cumulative risk differences (cRD) for RRIs based on exposure variables.

Main Results:

• The cumulative incidence of RRIs after 1000 km of running was 57.8%.
• Runners exceeding 105 km/week, running 7 times/week, or following a structured program exhibited fewer RRIs.
• Runners with less than 1 year or more than 40 years of experience, lower weekly frequency (<2 times/week), or shorter distances (<25 km/week) were more prone to RRIs.

Conclusions:

• Higher running volume (>105 km/week) and frequency (7 times/week) are associated with a reduced risk of running-related injuries.
• Adherence to a structured running program may decrease RRI incidence, while both novice and highly experienced runners face increased injury risks.
• Optimizing running frequency, distance, and program structure, while considering experience level, is key for effective running-related injury prevention.