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Background Few randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated effectiveness of training interventions on prevention of running-related injuries. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of two strength training programs on reducing the risk of lower extremity (LE) injury in novice runners. Design Three-arm RCT Setting Recreational sports Participants Healthy runners (18–55 y.) with Interventions Interventions included strength and stability exercises focusing on hip and core (Hip) or ankle (Ankle) performed before running. Control group performed static stretching exercises. All groups were supervised by a study physiotherapist and performed the same running program. Main Outcome Measurements Running-related LE injuries, acute and overuse injuries analysed separately. Substantial overuse injuries were those leading to moderate or severe modifications in training and/or reduced performance. Results Average weekly prevalence of overuse injuries was 36% lower (prevalence rate ratio, PRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.41–0.99), P=0.046) and prevalence of substantial overuse injuries 50% lower (PRR 0.50, 0.27–0.93, P=0.027) in the Hip compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed between Ankle and control group in the prevalence of overuse injuries (PRR 0.85; 95% CI 0.56–1.28). There was no difference in the incidence of acute injuries between Hip and control group (incidence rate ratio, IRR 1.42, 95% CI 0.63–3.22), whereas significantly higher incidence was observed in Ankle compared with control group (IRR 2.5, 1.19–5.29, P=0.015). Conclusions Hip focused strength program was effective in reducing the prevalence of LE overuse injuries in novice runners. Ankle focused program did not reduce overuse injuries, and undesirably increased the incidence of acute LE injuries.
Leppänen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.