Medial tibial stress syndrome: The relationship between gender and lower-extremity functional performance among collegiate track and field athletes

doi:10.28933/ijsmr-2020-12-0805

Abstract

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common lower extremity injury in track and field athletes. Many risk factors are associated with MTSS, and lower extremity performance may become altered in athletes suffering from prior symptoms, potentially increasing risk of future injury. The purpose of this study was to first examine the effect a prior history of MTSS has on lower-extremity measures, per gender, in collegiate level track and field athletes, and then determine if such measures predict future injury. Fifty-three healthy Division III collegiate track and field athletes (mean age = 19.40 ± 1.13 years) completed an injury history questionnaire along with five preseason lower-extremity functional tests including: ankle dorsiflexion (DF), single-leg anterior reach (SLAR), two timed single-leg balance (SLBAL) tests on a force plate, and single-leg hop for distance (SLH). Performance data were compared across gender and questionnaire data regarding injury history and occurrence of MTSS. Fifteen subjects (28%) reported previous MTSS symptoms within the last 2 years. Chi-square analyses revealed females experienced more diagnoses compared to males (p = .03). Independent t-tests revealed differences between gender on all SLBAL tests, as males performed better on all recorded measures (p < .001 – p = .003). No significant differences were noted in lower-extremity performance tests between subjects with and without prior MTSS injuries. Regression analyses using postseason injury questionnaire data revealed prior MTSS injuries had 17.3 higher odds of experiencing MTSS during the season (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 17.33, 95% CI: 3.5 – 86.4; p = .001).

Highlights

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common lower ex- Keywords: Center-of-pressure tremity injury in track and field athletes
Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), com- chanical and neuromuscular performance tasks monly referred to as ‘shin splints’, is the most re- in track and field athletes medically cleared to ported running-related musculoskeletal injury participate in a collegiate season
Due to the repet- dorsiflexion (DF) range of motion, single-leg anitive nature of running and impact loading of the terior reach (SLAR), two single-leg balance lower extremities, the most common symptom is (SLBAL) tests timed on a force plate, and a sinlocalized pain along the distal two-thirds of the gle-leg hop for distance (SLH)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), com- chanical and neuromuscular performance tasks monly referred to as ‘shin splints’, is the most re- in track and field athletes medically cleared to ported running-related musculoskeletal injury participate in a collegiate season. The purpose of this study was twofold; to MTSS, subjects were asked if they had been first to examine the effect a prior history of MTSS diagnosed with MTSS by any medical profeshas on lower-extremity measures, per gender, in sional (MD, ATC, PT, DC) on either leg in the collegiate level track and field athletes, and fur- past two years. Subjects completed a previous history of MTSS would have poorer five different functional performance tests in the order of ankle dorsiflexion (DF), single-leg anterior reach (SLAR), two timed single-leg balance (SLBAL) tests on a force plate, and a single-leg hop for distance (SLH). While several authors consider the female gender as a risk factor [2,3,5,19,21,23], more in-depth research about gender differences is needed to understand why females seem to have higher incidences of MTSS and associated injuries

AP Velocity

Findings

This research did not receive any specific grant