Comparing injuries of the lower extremity in runners with shoes selected with and without gait analysis.
Item
- Title
- Comparing injuries of the lower extremity in runners with shoes selected with and without gait analysis.
- Author(s)
- Pearl, L
- Abstract
- Background: Injuries in the lower extremity (LEX) is a concern for runners. Little research has been carried out to examine whether recommended trainers decrease LEX injury. Extrinsic factors such as running surface and distance ran have been addressed to assess their contribution towards injury. Objective: To address whether there is a relationship between injury occurrence in the LEX in runners who do and do not run in trainers recommended by gait analysis and identify further factors which may predispose a runner to injury. Design: A comparative observational study using a cross-sectional questionnaire approach. Methods: A questionnaire was compiled on Google forms. The questionnaire was administered to regular runners over 18. Injury rate throughout the LEX was compared against the runner's trainer fitting, (whether or not their trainers were fitted by gait analysis) and compared against other variables. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft excel and Analyse-IT. Results: Runners wearing recommended trainers sustained fewer injuries throughout the LEX in comparison to those not wearing recommended trainers, (P<0.0001). Road runners suffered most with injuries in the LEX in particular the knee and ankle injury was increased over uneven running surfaces, (p<0.0314). Discussion: Arch structure is known to affect the mechanics of a runner. These changes in mechanics increase stress on the LEX subsequently leading to injury. With the assistance of a structured runner trainer however injury occurrence is seen to decrease. Running injuries could be related to the runners altered mechanics which is consequently not being supported by the necessary trainer. When running in recommended trainers' injury occurrence is decreased.Conclusion: Runners who did not run in trainers recommended by gait analysis suffered more injuries to the LEX in comparison to runners who run in recommended trainers. Road runners sustained more injuries in the LEX with the knee most commonly injured. Female injury rate was decreased in those who wore correctly fined trainers. Influencing variables including hard and uneven running surfaces and further running distances were also found to increase injury. A conclusion can be drawn that runners who run in trainers recommended by gait analysis will have decreased injury to the LEX however the effects of the mentioned variables should also be considered.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2015
- Date Submitted
- 2.12.2016 16:55:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 15912
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Footwear, Injury, LEX, Runners
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Pearl, L, “Comparing injuries of the lower extremity in runners with shoes selected with and without gait analysis.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/569