New RUNSAFE-based publication

Training intensity and volume have been proposed to be associated with specific running-related injuries. If such an association exists, secondary preventive measures could be initiated by clinicians based on symptoms of a specific injury diagnosis.

To test the following hypotheses: (i) A running schedule focusing on intensity will increase the risk of sustaining Achilles tendinopathy, gastrocnemius injuries and plantar fasciitis compared with hypothesized volume-related injuries. (ii) A running schedule focusing on running volume will increase the risk of sustaining patellofemoral pain syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome and patellar tendinopathy compared with hypothesized intensity-related injuries.

Healthy recreational runners were included in a 24-week follow-up, divided into 8-week preconditioning and 16-week specific focus-training. Participants were randomized to one of two running schedules: Schedule Intensity(Sch-I) or Schedule Volume(Sch-V). Sch-I progressed the amount of high intensity running (?88% VO2max) each week. Sch-V progressed total weekly running volume. Global positioning system watch or smartphone collected data on running. Running-related injuries were diagnosed based on a clinical examination. Estimates were risk difference (RD) and 95%CI.

Of 447 runners, a total of 80 sustained an injury (Sch-I n=36; Sch-V n=44). Risk of intensity injuries in Sch-I were: RD_2-weeks=-0.8%[-5.0;3.4]; RD_4-weeks=-0.8%[-6.7;5.1]; RD_8-weeks=-2.0%[-9.2;5.1]; RD_16-weeks=-5.1%[-16.5;6.3]. Risk of volume injuries in Sch-V were: RD_2-weeks=-0.9%[-5.0;3.2]; RD_4-weeks=-2.0%[-7.5;3.5]; RD_8-weeks=-3.2%[-9.1;2.7]; RD_16-weeks=-3.4%[-13.2;6.2].