Abstract
Global participation in running continues to increase, especially amongst adolescents. Consequently, the number of running-related injuries (RRI) in adolescents is rising. Emerging evidence now suggests that overuse type injuries involving growing bone (e.g., bone stress injuries) and soft tissues (e.g., tendinopathies) predominate in adolescents that participate in running-related sports. Associations between running biomechanics and overuse injuries have been widely studied in adults, however, relatively little research has comparatively targeted running biomechanics in adolescents. Moreover, available literature on injury prevention and rehabilitation for adolescent runners is limited, and there is a tendency to generalize adult literature to adolescent populations despite pertinent considerations regarding growth-related changes unique to these athletes. This perspective article provides commentary and expert opinion surrounding the state of knowledge and future directions for research in adolescent running biomechanics, injury prevention and supplemental training.
Highlights
Youth running participation is increasing throughout the world, with global participation rates of adolescents reported among the top three sport activities in most regions (Hulteen et al, 2017)
It is clear that limited evidence exists on the influence of biomechanics on related injuries (RRI) risk during growth and development in youth runners
Youthspecific running programs associated with running clubs (e.g., Boston Athletic Association, Students Run Los Angeles) have attempted to address the risk of injury in these youth running training programs, but more research is needed (Students run LA, 0000; Miller et al, 2018)
Summary
Youth running participation is increasing throughout the world, with global participation rates of adolescents reported among the top three sport activities in most regions (Hulteen et al, 2017). The “biological” age or maturational development of adolescent athletes may be of greater significance with respect to running-related injuries (RRI) Changes in tissues such as bone, tendon, muscle, cartilage and growth plate occur at varied rates and locations during times of rapid growth (Lloyd et al, 2014; Krabak et al, 2016a). One prospective study’s findings of greater injury risk among high school runners with weak hip abductors, knee extensors and knee flexors, Luedke et al (2015) is contrasted by another study suggesting increased hip abductor strength and hip abduction to adduction strength ratio increases injury risk (Finnoff et al, 2011) Despite this uncertainty regarding muscle weakness and injury risk, injury prevention programs with elements of high intensity neuromuscular training, jumping, plyometrics and balance training have been successful in reducing sports injuries in youth athletes (e.g., basketball, soccer, football, volleyball) (Emery et al, 2005; Rössler et al, 2014; Richmond et al, 2016). Future research is needed to confirm or refute these effects in youth running athletes
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