To establish the epidemiology of injury and training characteristics of short-distance trail runners training towards the Magoebaskloof Ultra 2023 (10km and 20km).
A retrospective, cross-sectional design was used to analyse data collected via a pre-race medical screening process at a trail running event in South Africa. Variables included demographics, training, and injury history six months before the race. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and we presented the frequencies (n, %) and central tendencies.
20% participants reported injuries within the past six months, with a period prevalence of 17%. The majority were female (61%) aged ≤40 years (67%). Most had ≤3 years of running (54%) and trail running experience (77%). The lower limb was the most injured (84%), with the knee, lower leg, and ankle at 21% each. Soft tissue injuries were most common, particularly muscle strains (26%) and tendinopathies (21%). Training characteristics per week included running 0-20km (54%), 2-3 running sessions (70%), 1-2 trail running sessions (73%), 1-3 cross-training sessions (61%), and a vertical gain of 0-500m (64%).
One in five short-distance trail runners sustain injuries in the 6 months prior to race. Injuries mostly affected the lower limb, knee, and ankle, and included muscle strains and tendinopathies. Short-distance trail runners have limited trail experience causing unfamiliarity with trail specific demands. This highlights the need for physiotherapists to implement injury prevention strategies specifically for short distance trail runners prior to events.
- Injury prevention strategies should focus on the lower limb, specifically the knee, lower leg, and ankle.
- Physiotherapists should focus on helping short distance trail runners, to build the needed loading capacity for lower limb muscles and tendons. An holistic screening approach should be considered to identify and address other potential contributing factors for muscle strains and tendinopathies.
injury prevention
