Primairy objective was to identify risk factors for short- and long distance running. A secondary objective was to determine whether these risk factors could possibly be integrated in an injury prevention program.
Electronic databases were searched for articles published up to February 2019. Prospective cohort studies using multivariable analysis for the assessment of individual risk factors or risk models for the occurrence of lower extremity running injuries were included. Two reviewers independently selected studies for eligibility and assessed risk of bias with the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. The GRADE approach was used to assess the quality of the evidence.
A total of 29 studies were included; 17 studies focused on short-distance runners, 11 studies focused on long-distance runners, and 1 study focused on both types of runners. A previous running-related injury was the strongest risk factor for an injury for long-distance runners, with moder- ate-quality evidence. Previous injuries not attributed to running was the strongest risk factor for an injury for short-distance runners, with high-qual- ity evidence. Higher body mass index, higher age, sex (male), having no previous running experience, and lower running volume were strong risk factors, with moderate quality evidence, for short-distance runners. Low-quality evidence was found for all risk models as predictors of running- related injuries among short- and long-distance runners.
Several risk factors for lower extremity injuries have been identified among short- and long-distance runners, but the quality of evi- dence for these risk factors for running-related injuries is limited. Running injuries seem to have a multifactorial origin both in short- and long- distance runners.
This studie shows that there is a lack of knowledge regarding risk factors for RRI. Despite this lack it proposes ideas for developing an injury prevention program with a PhD thesis. This is quit difficult while association is different than causality! But current programs do not take that in account.
Protective factors
