Running injuries and associated factors in participants of ING Taipei Marathon.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the distribution of lower extremity running injuries and their associated factors.

DESIGN

Descriptive and exploratory study.

PARTICIPANTS

1004 participants of the 2005 ING Taipei International Marathon.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used a self-developed questionnaire to collect data of previous running injuries and applied multivariate logistic regression modeling to examine relationships between these injuries and associated factors.

RESULTS

Of the 893 valid questionnaires, 396 (44.4%) reported having previous lower extremity pain related to running. Knee joint pain was the most common problem (32.5%). Hip pain was associated with the racing group, training duration, and medial arch support. Use of knee orthotics (P = 0.002) and ankle braces (P = 0.007) was related to a higher rate of knee and ankle pain. Participants of the full marathon group who practiced on a synthetic track had a higher incidence of ankle pain. A training duration of >60 min was linked to an increased rate of foot pain (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that running injuries were associated with training duration and use of orthotics. Clinicians can use this information in treating or preventing running associated injuries and pain.