Analysis Of Runners With Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

Abstract

Nowadays, running as a hobby and component of exercise routines has become increasingly popular due to its proven health effects. Therefore, the number of injuries caused by this exercise method has increased substantially amongst recreational and professional runners. Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)is among the most commonly noted injuries, after excluding pains of ischemic origin and stress fractures as a source of posteromedial tibial pain. PURPOSE: To describe the kinematics and strength analysis of running athletes diagnosed with MTSS and to evaluate its effect on the athletes’ performances. METHODS: Twenty-seven runners with MTSS and 29 runners without MTSS (control group)were evaluated. The participants answered the sociodemographic, Baecke’s Usual Physical activity and International Physical Activity questionnaires. Videos of the participants while running were recorded from the rear and the side. Kinovea® software was used to analyse the videos. An FPX25 digital algometer (Greenwich, USA)was used to measure the pre- and post-race pain areas. The data gathered were structured into a statistical mixed prediction model of runner speed alteration based on multiple fixed variables. RESULTS: Runners with MTSS had an average running speed 0.55 km/h ±0.27 (p<0.01)lesser than that of runners with MTSS. Moreover, the strength of the quadriceps femoris (average less 61,7 Kgf; p<0.01)and hip external rotators (average less 61,6 Kgf; p<0.03)muscular groups was lower among the runners with MTSS. CONCLUSION: The average speed of the runners with MTSS is lesser than that of the healthy runners. The strength of the quadriceps femoris and hip external rotators is reduced in runners with this syndrome, suggesting that focused treatment of the weakened muscles could be one way of accelerating recovery.