Risk factors for lower extremity injuries among half marathon and marathon runners of the Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven 2012: A prospective cohort study in the Netherlands

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2016 Feb;26(2):226-34. doi: 10.1111/sms.12424. Epub 2015 Feb 28.

Abstract

To determine risk factors for running injuries during the Lage Landen Marathon Eindhoven 2012. Prospective cohort study. Population-based study. This study included 943 runners. Running injuries after the Lage Landen Marathon. Sociodemographic and training-related factors as well as lifestyle factors were considered as potential risk factors and assessed in a questionnaire 1 month before the running event. The association between potential risk factors and injuries was determined, per running distance separately, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 154 respondents sustained a running injury. Among the marathon runners, in the univariate model, body mass index ≥ 26 kg/m(2), ≤ 5 years of running experience, and often performing interval training, were significantly associated with running injuries, whereas in the multivariate model only ≤ 5 years of running experience and not performing interval training on a regular basis were significantly associated with running injuries. Among marathon runners, no multivariate model could be created because of the low number of injuries and participants. This study indicates that interval training on a regular basis may be recommended to marathon runners to reduce the risk of injury.

Keywords: Running-related injuries; risk factors; running.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Lower Extremity / injuries*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Physical Conditioning, Human / methods*
  • Physical Conditioning, Human / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Running / injuries*
  • Running / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult