A Comparison of Factors Associated with Running-Related Injuries between Adult and Adolescent Runners

Abstract

Background There are multiple personal and environmental factors that influence the risk of developing running-related injuries (RRIs). However, it is unclear how these key clinical factors differ between adult and adolescent runners. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare anthropometric, training, and self-reported outcomes among adult and adolescent runners with and without lower extremity musculoskeletal RRIs. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Questionnaire responses and clinical assessment data were extracted from 38 adult runners (F: 25, M: 13; median age: 23 [range 18-36]) and 91 adolescent runners (F: 56, M: 35; median age: 15 [range 14-16]) who underwent a physical injury prevention evaluation at a hospital-affiliated sports injury prevention center between 2013 and 2021. Participants were sub-grouped into those with (adults: 25; adolescents: 38) and those without (adults: 13; adolescents: 53) a history of self-reported RRIs based on questionnaire responses. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) covarying for gender were conducted to compare outcomes across groups. Results Adult runners had lower Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) scores (mean differences [MD]:-1.4, p=0.01), were more likely to report intentional weight-loss to improve athletic performance (% difference: 33.0%; p: