Common Running Musculoskeletal Injuries and Associated Factors among Recreational Gorge Marathon Runners: An Investigation from 2013 to 2018 Taroko Gorge Marathons.

Chia-Li Hsu,Jen-Hung Wang,Chung-Chao Liang,Chich-Haung Yang

doi:10.3390/ijerph17218101

Abstract

Many studies exist on the incidence and related risk factors of running injuries, such as those obtained during marathons. However, in gorge-terrain marathons, an insufficient number of reports exist in the relevant literature. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries occurring in participants in the 2013 to 2018 Taroko Gorge Marathons in Taiwan and the distribution of running injuries and related influencing factors. A total of 718 runners who entered the physiotherapy station presented with records of treatment and injuries and filled out a running-related injury and self-training questionnaire for further statistical analysis. The association between risk factors and injury were evaluated by logistic regression. The injured areas on the lower extremities after the gorge marathon were as follows: 28% in the knees, 20% in the posterior calves, 13% in the thighs, 10% in the ankles, and 8% in the feet. The analysis of injury-related risk factors showed that male athletes demonstrated a higher risk of thigh injury than female athletes (OR = 2.42, p = 0.002). Underweight runners exhibited a higher risk of thigh injury (OR = 3.35, p = 0.006). We conclude that in the gorge marathon the rates of knee, calf, thigh, and foot injuries are significantly increased. Medical professionals, coaches, and runners may use the findings of this study to reduce the potential risk of running injuries in marathons.

Highlights

Running is the sport of choice of many individuals and the general public because of its health advantages in addition to its convenience and low cost
This study aimed to explore the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries occurring in gorge marathon runners and examine the distribution of running injuries and related influencing factors
(3) The comparison of running types demonstrated that the proportion of female runners who participated in the gorge marathon was significantly lower than that of male runners; female runner’s marathon experience and weekly running frequency, distance, or duration were less than that of male runners

Summary

Introduction

Running is the sport of choice of many individuals and the general public because of its health advantages in addition to its convenience and low cost. Running is a type of popular, but not necessarily extremely skillful, exercise that is not limited by body shape, age, or sex. Since the 1970s, running has been increasing in popularity globally. Previous studies reported a one-year prevalence of 54.8% and incidence from 19.4% to 79.3% of musculoskeletal injuries during long-distance running [1,2]. Most injuries related to running occur in the lower extremities [2–6]. The most common anatomical site for running injuries is the knee [1,6–8]. Some injuries are traumatic, most are caused by overuse. The definition of “injury” differs in the literature.

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