Rates and Risks for Running and Exercise Injuries: Studies in Three Populations

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Abstract
We report on three epidemiologic studies of orthopedic injuries in exercisers. One group of 438 men and women ran approximately 25 mi per week; 24% reported an injury during the previous year. Higher weekly running mileage and heavier individuals were more likely to report an injury. Injuries were not associated with speed of running, age, gender, type of surface, time of day, or stretching habit. In a second study, rates of injury for the foot, knee, hip, back, shoulder, and elbow were examined in runner (n =2,102) and nonrunner (n =724) patients at a preventive medicine clinic. Only knee injury rates were significantly higher in runners. Third, participants (n=968) in worksite-sponsored exercise programs were evaluated for orthopedic injuries. Rates of exercise injuries were relatively low (net rate = 12%/year in exercisers). Risk of injury in participants starting a walking, running, or jogging program was associated (p <.05) with age, sex, body mass index, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and number of sit-ups in 1-min.

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