TY - JOUR
T1 - Independent Risk Factors Predicting Gradual Onset Injury in 2824 Trail Running Race Entrants: SAFER XVIII Study
AU - Viljoen, Carel T.
AU - Sewry, Nicola
AU - Schwellnus, Martin P.
AU - Janse van Rensburg, Dina C.
AU - Swanevelder, Sonja
AU - Jordaan, Esme
N1 - Funding Information:
Author Contributions: Study concept (CTV, NS, MS); study planning (CTV, NS, MS, CJvR, EJ); data analysis/interpretation (CTV, NS, MS, CJvR, EJ); writing of the manuscript, (CTV); manuscript editing (CTV, NS, MS, CJvR, SS, EJ); responsible for the overall content as guarantor (MS); statistical analysis (CJvR, EJ). All authors approved the final version of this manuscript. Financial/Material Support: None. Disclosures: None.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Wilderness Medical Society
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - Introduction: Trail running is characterized by elevation changes, with uneven and varying running surfaces. Risk factors that may predict gradual-onset running-related injuries (GORRIs) in short-distance trail running have not been explored. The objective was to determine risk factors that predict GORRIs in trail running race entrants who entered mass community-based trail running events. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected prospectively from a prerace medical screening questionnaire over 4 trail run events held annually. Using a Poisson regression model, runner demographics, race distance, running training/racing variables, history of chronic diseases (number of chronic diseases reported as a cumulative “chronic disease composite score”), and allergies were investigated to determine factors predicting self-reported GORRI history in the previous 12 mo. Results: This study included 2824 race entrants (80% of entrants). The retrospective annual incidence for GORRIs was 13%. Independent risk factors predicting GORRIs were longer race distance (P<0.0001), increasing chronic disease composite score (P=0.0012), and a history of allergies (P=0.0056). The lower limb (94%) was the main anatomic region of GORRIs, and soft tissue injuries accounted for most (83%) GORRIs. Common specific GORRIs were iliotibial band syndrome (22%), Achilles tendon injury (10%), and hamstring injury (9%). Conclusions: Independent risk factors predicting GORRIs among trail running entrants included longer race distance, a higher chronic disease composite score, and a history of allergies. This study has highlighted trail running race entrants at risk for sustaining GORRIs who could be targeted for future injury prevention interventions.
AB - Introduction: Trail running is characterized by elevation changes, with uneven and varying running surfaces. Risk factors that may predict gradual-onset running-related injuries (GORRIs) in short-distance trail running have not been explored. The objective was to determine risk factors that predict GORRIs in trail running race entrants who entered mass community-based trail running events. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected prospectively from a prerace medical screening questionnaire over 4 trail run events held annually. Using a Poisson regression model, runner demographics, race distance, running training/racing variables, history of chronic diseases (number of chronic diseases reported as a cumulative “chronic disease composite score”), and allergies were investigated to determine factors predicting self-reported GORRI history in the previous 12 mo. Results: This study included 2824 race entrants (80% of entrants). The retrospective annual incidence for GORRIs was 13%. Independent risk factors predicting GORRIs were longer race distance (P<0.0001), increasing chronic disease composite score (P=0.0012), and a history of allergies (P=0.0056). The lower limb (94%) was the main anatomic region of GORRIs, and soft tissue injuries accounted for most (83%) GORRIs. Common specific GORRIs were iliotibial band syndrome (22%), Achilles tendon injury (10%), and hamstring injury (9%). Conclusions: Independent risk factors predicting GORRIs among trail running entrants included longer race distance, a higher chronic disease composite score, and a history of allergies. This study has highlighted trail running race entrants at risk for sustaining GORRIs who could be targeted for future injury prevention interventions.
KW - chronic disease
KW - epidemiology
KW - incidence
KW - off-road running
KW - prerace medical screening
KW - running related injuries
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85110411671&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.wem.2021.04.002
DO - 10.1016/j.wem.2021.04.002
M3 - Article
C2 - 34266742
VL - 32
SP - 293
EP - 301
JO - Wilderness and Environmental Medicine
JF - Wilderness and Environmental Medicine
SN - 1080-6032
IS - 3
ER -