Effects of Strength Training on Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries in Female Runners

Wake Forest University Health Sciences150 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of strength training in preventing overuse injuries in female runners

This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on: (1) injury rates in female runners during the 9 month intervention period, and for 9 months after completing the intervention, and (2) on the potential mechanisms of injury including strength, joint and tissue loading, and psychosocial factors.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

150

Conditions

Overuse Injury

Interventions

Strength Training ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female civilian runners between 18-60 years old * Run at least 5 miles per week for the past 6 months * No overuse injuries in the past 6 months * Plan to stay in the area for the next year and a half * Live less than 30 miles from Wake Forest University or High Point University Exclusion Criteria: * Male * Under age 18 and over age 60 * Chronic diseases, orthopedic conditions, past anterior cruciate ligament tears * Currently pregnant or planning to conceive within the next 18 months * Observed by study staff as unwilling to attend testing/intervention sessions * Observed by study staff as unwilling to communicate via telephone and email regularly with study personnel * Participated in formal strength training in the past 6 months * Current active military or active military reserve

Locations (1)

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Incidence of Overuse Injury (Physical Exam/Injury Report Form)

To compare the effects of a 9-month strength training program to a control group on the incidence of overuse, lower extremity, running injuries in female adult recreational and competitive runners during and 9 months subsequent to the training period.

Time frame: Month 18

Secondary Outcomes

Lower Extremity Muscular Strength (HUMAC norm isokinetic dynamometer)

To compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on lower extremity muscular strength at the conclusion and 9 months subsequent to completion of the intervention.

Time frame: Months 0, 9, and 18

Biomechanical Joint Moments (3D kinematic and kinetic data collected by 6-camera motion capture gait analysis)

To compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on hip, knee, and ankle joint moments during running at the conclusion and 9 months subsequent to completion of the intervention.

Time frame: Month 0, 9, and 18

Biomechanical Joint Forces (3D kinematic and kinetic data collected by 6-camera motion capture gait analysis)

To compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on knee and ankle compressive and shear bone-on-bone joint forces during running at the conclusion and 9 months subsequent to completion of the intervention.

Time frame: Month 0, 9, and 18

Biomechanical Joint Tissue Loading (3D kinematic and kinetic data collected by 6-camera motion capture gait analysis)

To compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on joint tissue loading during running at the conclusion and 9 months subsequent to completion of the intervention.

Time frame: Month 0, 9, and 18

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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