One in four trail running race entrants sustained an injury in the 12 months training preceding the 2019 SkyRun race

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of RRIs among trail runners who entered the 2019 SkyRun races. DesignDescriptive cross-sectional study. Setting2019 SkyRun races. ParticipantsConsent for data analysis was given by 305 of 412 (74%) race entrants. Main outcome measuresRetrospective annual incidence (RRIs/1000 h), point prevalence (%), frequency (%), characteristics (anatomical region, body area, tissue type, pathology type) and injury severity (mean severity score; 95% CI) of RRIs. Results28.2% of participants reported at least one RRI. The retrospective annual incidence was 49.5 RRIs per 1000h and the point prevalence was 1.3%. Most injuries occurred in the lower limb (87.3%), with the knee (26.5%), ankle (21.6%), and foot (16.7%) reported as the most frequently injured body areas. Muscle/tendon accounted for 44.1% of tissue type injuries. Tendinopathy (27.5%), joint sprain (19.6%), and muscle injury (15.7%) were the most common pathology types reported. The mean injury severity score was 31.6. ConclusionsOne in 4 trail runners reported at least one RRI in the 12 months leading up to a race. RRIs mostly affected the lower limb specifically the knee, ankle and foot. Future research should establish injury risk factors to ultimately develop specific injury prevention strategies.