Differences in kinetic variables between injured and noninjured novice runners: a prospective cohort study

Objectives: This prospective study examined differences in kinetic variables between injured and noninjured novice female and male runners and their potential contribution to RRIs.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Methods: At baseline vertical ground reaction forces were assessed with an instrumented treadmill equipped with three force measuring transducers. Female participants ran at 8 and 9kmh(-1) and male runners ran at 9 and 10kmh(-1). Primary outcome measure was a running related injury (RRI). Participants were novice female and male recreational runners and were followed during a 9-week running program with three running sessions a week.

Results: One hundred thirty three female and seventy seven male runners participated in this study. Mean age was 37.2years and the BMI was 23.9kgm(-2). During the nine week running program 16.2% of the participants sustained an injury and no difference in incidence between female and male runners was seen. In injured male runners loading rate was significantly higher compared to noninjured male runners at both running speeds and contact time in the injured male group was significantly shorter at 9kmh(-1). In the group of female injured and noninjured runners no differences on kinetic or spatio-temporal variables were observed. Female runners had significantly higher loading rates compared to male runners but this did not have an effect on the incidence of RRIs.

Conclusions: This study showed that male injured runners had higher loading rates and shorter contact times than noninjured male runners. In female runners, however, no differences in kinetic or spatio-temporal variables were observed between injured and noninjured novice runners.