title: Can parallel use of different running shoes decrease running-related injury risk?
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine if runners who use concomitantly different pairs of running shoes are at a lower risk of running-related injury (RRI). Recreational runners (n = 264) participated in this 22-week prospective follow-up and reported all information about their running session characteristics, other sport participation and injuries on a dedicated Internet platform. A RRI was defined as a physical pain or complaint located at the lower limbs or lower back region, sustained during or as a result of running practice and impeding planned running activity for at least 1 day. One-third of the participants (n = 87) experienced at least one RRI during the observation period. The adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed that the parallel use of more than one pair of running shoes was a protective factor [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.614; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.389-0.969], while previous injury was a risk factor (HR = 1.722; 95%CI = 1.114-2.661). Additionally, increased mean session distance (km; HR = 0.795; 95%CI = 0.725-0.872) and increased weekly volume of other sports (h/week; HR = 0.848; 95%CI = 0.732-0.982) were associated with lower RRI risk. Multiple shoe use and participation in other sports are strategies potentially leading to a variation of the load applied to the musculoskeletal system. They could be advised to recreational runners to prevent RRI.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Public Research Centre for Health, Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malisoux
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urhausen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Theisen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065840:Protective Factors; D012420:Running / Q000293:injuries*; D012775:Shoes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: cohort study; injury incidence; recreational runners; risk factors; survival analysis