Factors influencing the occurrence of pain and injury in runners. Cover Image

Factors influencing the occurrence of pain and injury in runners.
Factors influencing the occurrence of pain and injury in runners.

Author(s): Katarzyna Karina Stachura, Magdalena Dąbrowska-Galas
Subject(s): Health and medicine and law
Published by: Państwowa Medyczna Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Opolu
Keywords: running; injuries; pain; overloading syndrome; knee injuries

Summary/Abstract: Background: With the growth of running popularity, the number of running-related injuries has risen. Longterm training and inadequate training loads are only a few factors causing overload injuries amongst runners. Aim of the study: To determine factors influencing the onset of pain and injury in runners. Material and methods: The study involved 150 runners aged 17-64 years (mean age: 30 ± 10 years) and was conducted via a questionnaire containing questions concerning, for example, training frequency, location of pain, type of trauma, treatment and rehabilitation. Results: 38% (n = 57) of runners often felt pain during training. 41% of them (n = 23) reported pain after running short distances and it was most frequently located in the knee joints (26%, n = 15). 48% (n = 72) experienced a running injury. The largest percentage of these (36%, n = 26) were related to knee injuries. As factors causing injuries, the interviewees mentioned one-sided training plan (24%, n = 17), overtraining (24%, n = 17), and insufficient warm-up (16%, n = 12). The analysis of the results has shown a statistically relevant positive correlation (r = 0.177, p < 0.05) between weekly frequency of training and the number of injuries sustained in the last year. The higher the weekly frequency, the more often injures occur amongst runners. Conclusions: The study shows that the occurrence of pain and injury depends on many factors. A frequent cause of any disturbances within the musculoskeletal system is overloaded soft tissue caused by overtraining. Lower limbs, particularly knee joints, are mostly at risk.

  • Issue Year: 12/2018
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 8-12
  • Page Count: 5
  • Language: English