Lower limb alignment characteristics are not associated with running injuries in runners: Prospective cohort study.
There is conflicting evidence on the association between lower limb alignment characteristics and the incidence of running-related injury (RRI). Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between lower limb alignment characteristics and the incidence proportion of RRI in a convenience sample of recreational runners. A total of 89 recreational runners were included in this prospective cohort study. These participants had been running for at least six months and were injury-free at baseline. Lower limb alignment measurements were conducted in order to calculate lower limb discrepancy, Q-angle, subtalar angle and plantar index. All participants also answered a baseline and biweekly online surveys about their running routine, history of RRI and newly developed RRI over a period of 12 weeks. The prevalence of previous RRI and the 12-week incidence proportion of new RRI were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between lower limb length discrepancy, Q-angle, subtalar angle and plantar ach index with the incidence proportion of RRI. The prevalence of previous RRI was 55.1% (n = 49). The 12-week incidence proportion of new RRI was 27.0% (n = 24). Muscle injuries and tendinopathies were the main types of RRI identified. The lower leg and the knee were the main anatomical regions affected. We did not find significant associations between lower limb length discrepancy, Q-angle, subtalar angle and plantar arch index and injury occurrence.
a Department of Public & Occupational Health and the EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
Luiz Carlos
LC
Hespanhol Junior
b Graduation Program in Physical Therapy , University Center CESMAC , Maceió , Brazil.|c São Paulo Running Injury Group (SPRunIG), Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy , Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID) , São Paulo , Brazil.
Aline Carla Araújo
AC
de Carvalho
c São Paulo Running Injury Group (SPRunIG), Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy , Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID) , São Paulo , Brazil.|d Musculoskeletal Division , The George Institute for Global Health , Sydney , NSW , Australia.
Leonardo Oliveira Pena
LO
Costa
c São Paulo Running Injury Group (SPRunIG), Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy , Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID) , São Paulo , Brazil.
Alexandre Dias
AD
Lopes
D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
Injury & prevention; measurement; musculoskeletal