Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries among high school cross-country runners.
To determine the incidence of lower-extremity injury among high school cross-country runners and to identify risk factors for injury, the authors prospectively monitored a cohort of 421 runners competing on 23 cross-country teams in 12 Seattle, Washington, high schools during the 1996 cross-country season. Collected were daily injury and athletic exposure (AE) reports, a baseline questionnaire on prior running and injury experience, anthropometric measurements, and coaches' training logs. The overall incidence rate of injury was 17.0/1,000 AEs. Girls had a significantly higher overall injury rate (19.6/1,000 AEs) than boys did (15.0/1,000 AEs) (incidence rate ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.0, 1.6). Compared with boys, girls had significantly higher rates of injuries resulting in >or=15 days of disability. For the overall sample and for girls, Cox regression revealed that a quadriceps angle of >or=20 degrees and an injury during summer running prior to the season were the most important predictors of injury. For boys, a quadriceps angle of >or=15 degrees and a history of multiple running injuries were most associated with injury. Results suggest that the incidence of lower-extremity injuries is high for cross-country runners, especially girls. Preseason screening to determine risk factors should be examined as a preventive approach for identifying high-risk runners.
Rauh
Mitchell J
MJ
Graduate Program in Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT 84601, USA. mrauh@rmuohp.edu
Koepsell
Thomas D
TD
Rivara
Frederick P
FP
Margherita
Anthony J
AJ
Rice
Stephen G
SG
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology