Author(s): KAIKKONEN, P., LEPPÄNEN, M., PARKKARI, J., VASANKARI, T., TOKOLA, K., KROSSHAUG, T., PASANEN, K., Institution: UKK INSTITUTE, Country: FINLAND, Abstract-ID: 2225

INTRODUCTION:
Running is a highly popular form of physical activity that provides significant public health benefits. While the health benefits of running are well known, it can also lead to running-related injuries (RRIs). Novice runners are known to have a higher risk of overuse RRIs than experienced runners. Additionally, overweight and obesity have been identified as potential risk factors. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of overweight and obesity on overuse RRIs among adult novice runners. A further aim was to investigate the effectiveness of two different exercise interventions in reducing overuse RRIs among participants in different weight categories.
METHODS:
This study is part of a randomized controlled trial (Run RCT). Participants were novice runners (18–55 years) whose primary form of exercise was running, who had less than two years of running experience (< 20 km/week), and who had no illnesses or injuries that could affect the study results. Participants were randomized into a hip- and core-focused training group (n = 108), an ankle- and foot-focused training group (n = 111), or a static stretching group serving as the control (n = 106). A 24-week physiotherapist-guided intervention program, including strength and neuromuscular control exercises, was performed twice a week before running sessions. All participants followed the same running program. The primary outcome was the average weekly prevalence of overuse RRIs across BMI categories (normal weight: BMI < 25 kg/m²; overweight: BMI 25–30 kg/m²; obese: BMI > 30 kg/m²). In addition, injury prevalence by BMI category was compared between the intervention groups and the control group.
RESULTS:
A total of 325 participants (173 normal weight, 109 overweight, 43 obese) were included in the study. The average weekly overuse RRI prevalence was 8.6% (95% CI 6.7%–10.9%) in normal weight participants, 10.7% (95% CI 8.1%–14.0%) in overweight participants, and 16.2% (95% CI 11.4%–22.7%) in obese participants. The average weekly prevalence of overuse RRIs was significantly higher in obese participants compared with normal weight participants (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.3, p = 0.005). Furthermore, the prevalence of overuse RRIs among obese participants in the hip- and core-focused group (7.8%) tended to be substantially lower (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.11–1.03, p = 0.056) than among obese participants in the control group (20.0%).
CONCLUSION:
This study confirms previous findings of an increased risk of overuse injuries among overweight and obese novice runners. Furthermore, a hip- and core-focused training program appeared to reduce this risk. The results suggest that targeted exercise interventions may have a protective effect against overuse injuries, although further studies are needed to confirm this finding. Based on these results, especially obese novice runners may benefit from hip- and core-focused training as part of their training program.