PREVALENCE OF INJURIES IN BRAZILIAN RECREATIONAL STREET RUNNERS: META-ANALYSIS

Assessment of the Pennation Angle of the Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle in Road Runners and Non-runners

Objective  To evaluate the pennation angle (PA) of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MGM) in orthostasis and bilateral maximum plantar flexion (BMPF) in road runners and non-runners. Methods  We assessed 31 runners and 31 non-runners from both genders between January and April 2019. We measured the MGM's PA on both sides by ultrasound during orthostasis and BMPF. Results  The groups were homogeneous regarding the dominant side, gender, and age. During orthostasis, the mean right-sided PA was 19.46° in runners and 22.5° in non-runners ( p  < 0.004). On the left side, the mean PA was 20.79° in runners and 22.83° in non-runners ( p  < 0.029). During BMPF, the right-side PA was 40.06° in runners and 40.89° in non-runners, and, on the left side, the mean PA was 40.01° in runners and 40.52° in non-runners. The MGM's PA of the right limb from male runners was statistically significantly higher in orthostasis ( p  < 0.029) and BMPF ( p  < 0.045). The correlation between MGM in orthostasis and BMPF in the leg in each group was statistically significant in the right lower limb of non-runners. Conclusion  Road runners presented a significantly lower MGM's PA than non-runners in orthostasis.

HealthyTrailsBR - The prevalence of running-related injuries and cramps, and the description of personal and running characteristics in Brazilian trail runners: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity in natural environments, such as trail running, is a way to nurture physical and mental health. However, running has an inherent risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of running-related injuries (RRI) and cramps, and to describe the personal and training characteristics of Brazilian trail runners.

METHODS

A total of 1068 trail runners were included in this observational cross-sectional study. The participants had at least six months of trail running experience. The data were collected between April 2019 and February 2020 through an online and self-reported survey.

RESULTS

The point prevalence of RRIs was 39.2 % (95 % credible interval [CrI]: 36.3, 42.1). The body region with the highest point prevalence was the knee. The 12-month period prevalence of RRIs was 69.2 % (95 %CrI: 66.4, 72.0). The body region with the highest 12-month period prevalence was the lower leg. 1- and 12-month period prevalence of cramps was 19.5 % (95 %CrI: 17.1, 21.9) and 36.0 % (95 %CrI: 33.0, 38.8), respectively. Triceps surae was the muscle most affected by cramps.

CONCLUSIONS

Two in 5 (40 %) trail runners reported being injured at the time of data collection, and about 2 of 3 reported previous RRIs in the last 12 months. The most prevalent injured body regions were the knee and the lower leg. One in 5 trail runners reported cramps in the last month, increasing to 36 % in the last 12 months. Knowing better the characteristics of the population and the burden of health conditions may inform better decisions regarding implementation actions toward trail running practice.

Knowledge and management of low back pain as running-related injuries among Italian physical therapists: findings from a national survey

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and the clinical management procedures of the Italian physical therapists specialized in orthopedic manipulative physical therapy (OMPT) toward running and its correlation with low back pain (LBP).Design: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2019, according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES) and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.Setting: Italy.Participants: One thousand two hundred and eighteen Italian OMPTs.

METHODS

Survey Monkey software was used to administer the survey. The questionnaire was self-reported and included 26 questions. Descriptive statistics were used and related to the effective respondents for each question.

RESULTS

One thousand two hundred and eighteen questionnaires (60.9%) were included in the analysis. A considerable cohort of OMPTs working in private practice clinical settings (n = 845; 69.4%; 95% CI 66.7-71.9) has indicated running not to be a relevant risk factor for the onset of LBP (n = 806; 66.2%; 95% CI 63.4-68.8). Moreover, most of the participants (n = 679; 55.7%; 95% CI 52.9-58.5) adopted a combination of manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise for the management of runners with LBP.

CONCLUSIONS

Widespread knowledge of clinical and theoretical management of LBP in runners-patients has emerged among Italian OMPTs. The OMPTs' academic background agrees with the recent literature and therefore highlights the paucity of studies related to LBP as running-related injuries.

Factors Associated With Lower Limb Injuries in Recreational Runners: A Cross-Sectional Survey Including Mental Aspects and Sleep Quality

Knowledge about prevalence and etiology of running-related injuries (RRIs) is important to design effective RRI prevention programs. Mental aspects and sleep quality seem to be important potential risk factors, yet their association with RRIs needs to be elucidated. The aims of this study are to investigate the epidemiology of RRIs in recreational runners and the association of mental aspects, sleep, and other potential factors with RRIs. An internet-based questionnaire was sent to recreational runners recruited through social media, asking for personal and training characteristics, mental aspects (obsessive passion, motivation to exercise), sleep quality, perceived health, quality of life, foot arch type, and RRIs over the past six months. Data were analyzed descriptively and using logistic regression. Self-reported data from 804 questionnaires were analyzed. Twenty-five potential risk factors for RRIs were investigated. 54% of runners reported at least one RRI. The knee was the most-affected location (45%), followed by the lower leg (19%). Patellofemoral pain syndrome was the most-reported injury (20%), followed by medial tibial stress syndrome (17%). Obsessive passionate attitude (odds ratio (OR):1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.18-1.54), motivation to exercise (OR:1.09; CI:1.03-1.15), and sleep quality (OR:1.23; CI:1.15-1.31) were associated with RRIs, as were perceived health (OR:0.96; CI:0.94-0.97), running over 20 km/week (OR:1.58; CI:1.04-2.42), overweight (OR:2.17; CI:1.41-3.34), pes planus (OR:1.80; CI:1.12-2.88), hard-surface running (OR:1.37; CI:1.17-1.59), running company (OR:1.65; CI:1.16-2.35), and following a training program (OR:1.51; CI:1.09-2.10). These factors together explained 30% of the variance in RRIs. A separate regression analysis showed that mental aspects and sleep quality explain 15% of the variance in RRIs. The association of mental aspects and sleep quality with RRIs adds new insights into the multifactorial etiology of RRIs. We therefore recommend that besides common risk factors for RRI, mental aspects and sleep be incorporated into the advice on prevention and management of RRIs.

Low back pain among Italian runners: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Low Back Pain (LBP) is commonly reported as a very frequent disorder in sports, but its prevalence in runners remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of LBP in a wide sample of Italian runners.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey.

SETTING

A national survey, according to the CHERRIES and STROBE guidelines, was performed in 2019.

PARTICIPANTS

2539 Italian runners.

METHODS

A sample of Italian runners registered with national running associations was recruited. The survey was conducted using an online survey development platform. The questionnaire was self-reported and included 38 questions.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used to analyze results. Relationships between demographics, daily habits and running characteristics and the responses given was calculated with Cramer's V. Only correlation values higher >0.60 were deemed of interest.

RESULTS

2539 questionnaires (63.5%) were valid for analysis. In total, 22.6% of runners reported having experienced LBP in the past year. Most participants (77.0%) reporting episodes of LBP believed it was not caused by running. No significant correlations (Cramer's V < 0.60) were found between LBP and demographics, training characteristics or lifestyle habits.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LBP among Italian runners was 22,57%. LBP was not associated with training, equipment or lifestyle.

Effects of sensorimotor training on pelvic stability and balance in runners

Abstract Introduction: Running has increased significantly in recent years due to its benefits and practicality. However, like any sport, running poses a risk of injury, leading to the need for clinical intervention and even its practitioners quitting the sport. Therefore, preventive strategies seeking to minimize the occurrence and consequences of such risk factors in these athletes are pivotal. Objective: To investigate the preventive effects of a sensorimotor training protocol on the balance and pelvic stability of runners. Methods: The study sample consisted of fourteen 10-km runners of both genders divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the sensorimotor training group (SMTG). Both groups were evaluated using the single-leg stance test (static balance), Trendelenburg test (pelvic stability), and hop test (dynamic balance). The SMTG underwent 16 interventions, while the CG did not receive any intervention. Results: The SMTG showed a significant increase in the permanence time of the single-leg stance test (p < 0.05) and a reduction in knee valgus during impulse and landing moments of the single hop test only in the right lower limb (p < 0.05), while the CG showed no significant difference in all tests applied (p > 0.05). Regarding pelvic stability, there was no significant difference in any of the groups. Conclusion: The proposed protocol significantly improved the static balance of the SMTG, but not the pelvic stability.

Prevalence and incidence of low back pain among runners: a systematic review

Background

Running is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Despite low back pain (LBP) represents the most common musculoskeletal disorder in population and in sports, there is currently sparse evidence about prevalence, incidence and risk factors for LBP among runners. The aims of this systematic review were to investigate among runners: prevalence and incidence of LBP and specific risk factors for the onset of LBP.

Methods

A systematic review has been conducted according to the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. The research was conducted in the following databases from their inception to 31st of July 2019: PubMed; CINAHL; Google Scholar; Ovid; PsycINFO; PSYNDEX; Embase; SPORTDiscus; Scientific Electronic Library Online; Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The checklists of The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools were used to investigate the risk of bias of the included studies.

Results

Nineteen studies were included and the interrater agreement for full-text selection was good (K = 0.78; 0.61–0.80 IC 95%). Overall, low values of prevalence (0.7–20.2%) and incidence (0.3–22%) of LBP among runners were reported. Most reported risk factors were: running for more than 6 years; body mass index > 24; higher physical height; not performing traditional aerobics activity weekly; restricted range of motion of hip flexion; difference between leg-length; poor hamstrings and back flexibility.

Conclusions: Prevalence and incidence of LBP among runners are low compared to the others running related injuries and to general, or specific population of athletes. View the low level of incidence and prevalence of LBP, running could be interpreted as a protective factor against the onset of LBP.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018102001.