Abstract

The overall incidence rate for running injuries varies between 37-56/yr. Depending on the specificity of the group of runners concerned (competitive athletes; recreational joggers; boys and girls) and on different circumstances these rates vary. If incidence is calculated according to running time the incidence reported in literature varies from 2.5-12.1 injuries/1000 h of running. Most injuries are lower extremity injuries, with a predominance for the knee. About 50-75 of all running injuries appear to be overuse injuries due to the constant repetition of the same movement. Recurrence of running injuries is reported in 20-70 of the cases. From the epidemiological studies it can be concluded that running injuries lead to a reduction of training or training cessation in about 30-90 of all injuries, about 20-70 of all injuries lead to medical consultation or medical treatment and 0-5 result in absence from work. Aetiological factors associated with running injuries include previous injury, lack of experience, competition and excessive weekly running distance. The association between running injuries and factors such as warm-up and stretching exercises, body height, malalignment, muscular imbalance, restricted range of motion, running frequency, level of performance, stability of running pattern, shoes and inshoe orthoses and running on 1 side of the road remains unclear or is backed by contradicting or scarce research findings. No association is seen with age, gender, body mass, time of year or day, and ground surface. Verf.-Ref.