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Injuries in runners: a prospective study of alignment
D Y Wen1, J C Puffer, T P Schmalzried
1Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Summary
Lower extremity alignment measures like arch index and heel valgus showed some protective effects against running injuries. However, minor alignment variations are not conclusively major risk factors for overuse injuries in runners.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Running Injury Prevention
Background:
- Overuse running injuries are common among athletes.
- Lower extremity alignment is often suspected as a contributing factor.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for injury prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between measurable lower extremity alignment and the incidence of overuse running injuries.
- To identify specific alignment parameters that may increase or decrease injury risk.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 255 runners completing a 32-week marathon training program.
- Assessed five lower extremity alignment measures: arch index (AI), heel valgus (HV), knee tubercle-sulcus angle (TSA), knee varus (KV), and leg-length difference (LLD).
- Tracked overuse injuries throughout the training period.
Main Results:
- Ninety participants sustained overuse injuries.
- Higher arch index (AI) and heel valgus (HV) were associated with fewer overall and specific injuries (knee, foot).
- Higher knee tubercle-sulcus angle (TSA) and knee varus (KV) were linked to shin injuries; lower leg-length difference (LLD) correlated with more overall injuries.
Conclusions:
- While some alignment measures showed protective or risk associations, minor variations in lower extremity alignment were not conclusively major risk factors for overuse running injuries.
- The multifactorial nature of running injuries suggests further research, potentially in novice runners, is warranted.