title: PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN MARATHON RUNNERS WHO COMPETE AT THE ELITE LEVEL.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal pain can be an important sign of overuse injury in elite athletes. However, its prevalence and whether it is associated with aspects of training in marathon runners who compete at the elite level is still not clear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research was to assess the prevalence, location and intensity of running-related musculoskeletal pain over the previous 12 months in marathon runners who compete at the elite level and to verify whether certain training characteristics are associated with musculoskeletal pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ninety-nine elite marathon runners were verbally interviewed regarding their personal demographics, training routines, and the presence, location and intensity of musculoskeletal pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of any running-related musculoskeletal pain in elite distance runners was 75%, and the most frequently reported location was the lower leg (19.1%). The presence of pain was independent of age, experience, and volume of training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Running-related musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in marathon runners who compete at the elite level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies about prevalence and location of musculoskeletal pain and factors-related in this population are important to contribute to the development of educational and preventive strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  2.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Nakata
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lunardi
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronaldo Aparecido
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Alexandre Dias
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Celso R F
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
keywords: Athletic performance; lower extremity; overuse injury; running injury