Iliotibial band strain while running around a curve

The iliotibial band (ITB) stabilises the hip and knee joints during running, but excessive strain can lead to iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), a common overuse injury in runners. This study aimed to determine if running around a curve influences ITB strain using a musculoskeletal model with active and passive ITB strands. Sixteen runners completed trials running straight and around a curve, with kinematic and ground reaction force data collected. An ITB model incorporating gluteus maximus and tensor fascia latae muscles, along with a passive strand, was used. Peak strain values during the stance phase were averaged across subjects. Results indicated no significant peak strain differences in active muscle strands between conditions. However, the peak passive strand strain was significantly higher with the leg on the inside of the curve (4.69%) compared to the outside curve condition (4.49%) (p = .009, η² = 0.454), but not significantly different from the straight path condition. When running around a curve, this may put the inside leg at a higher risk of developing ITBS when compared to the outside leg. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of curved running on ITB strain and potential injury prevention strategies.