583 FO24 – Effects of different training interventions on injury risk in novice recreational runners: a three-arm randomised controlled trial

Background

Few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated effectiveness of training interventions on prevention of running-related injuries.

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of two strength training programs on reducing the risk of lower extremity (LE) injury in novice runners.

Design

Three-arm RCT

Setting

Recreational sports

Participants

Healthy runners (18–55 y.) with <2 years of running experience were recruited. The final study group comprised of 325 (245 female and 80 male) participants randomised into Hip (n=108), Ankle (n=111) or control (n=106) group. Participants responded to weekly questionnaires about injuries and running exposure during the 24-week study.

Interventions

Interventions included strength and stability exercises focusing on hip and core (Hip) or ankle (Ankle) performed before running. Control group performed static stretching exercises. All groups were supervised by a study physiotherapist and performed the same running program.

Main Outcome Measurements

Running-related LE injuries, acute and overuse injuries analysed separately. Substantial overuse injuries were those leading to moderate or severe modifications in training and/or reduced performance.

Results

Average weekly prevalence of overuse injuries was 36% lower (prevalence rate ratio, PRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.41–0.99), P=0.046) and prevalence of substantial overuse injuries 50% lower (PRR 0.50, 0.27–0.93, P=0.027) in the Hip compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed between Ankle and control group in the prevalence of overuse injuries (PRR 0.85; 95% CI 0.56–1.28). There was no difference in the incidence of acute injuries between Hip and control group (incidence rate ratio, IRR 1.42, 95% CI 0.63–3.22), whereas significantly higher incidence was observed in Ankle compared with control group (IRR 2.5, 1.19–5.29, P=0.015).

Conclusions

Hip focused strength program was effective in reducing the prevalence of LE overuse injuries in novice runners. Ankle focused program did not reduce overuse injuries, and undesirably increased the incidence of acute LE injuries.