Risk factors for injury among female runners

The passage of Title IX nearly 30 years ago and the tremendous growth in popularity of endurance events such as the marathon have led to an increase in both the number of female participants in the sport of running and the number of running-related injuries. Previous studies have demonstrated that running injuries result from a complex interaction of numerous risk factors. This study examined the change in performance on an instrumented balance assessment system and the change in ground reaction forces following a treadmill run to exhaustion in ninety healthy adult female runners. This research also included both a retrospective and prospective analysis of multiple risk factors for injury among the same group of habitual female runners. Factors examined for correlation with overuse running-related injuries included post-fatigue balance performance and ground reaction forces, baseline ground reaction forces, flexibility, alignment, diet, training history, menstrual history, and anthropometrics.; Both injured and non-injured runners demonstrated a significant decrease in the post-fatigue balance assessment. Both groups of runners also demonstrated a significant decrease in the post-fatigue impact peak magnitudes and loading rates. The reported incidence of running-related injuries was 53% in the retrospective study and 55% in the prospective analysis. Risk factors found to be associated with injury in both the retrospective and prospective analysis included a greater decline in post-fatigue performance on the balance tests, higher impact loading rates on the injured side, less ankle flexibility, and a diet lower in total fat intake and percentage of total calories from fat. A smaller decline in post-fatigue impact loading rates and more limited flexibility of the iliotibial band were also found to be associated with injury in the retrospective study. History of a previous injury in the past year and a leg length discrepancy were correlated with prospective injury.; By documenting these potential risk factors, it is hoped that better strategies can be developed to help reduce running injuries in women.