Training Habits and Injury Rate in Masters Female Runners.
Janice Loudon, Amy Parkerson-Mitchell
PMID 35391857WHAT IT FOUND
Among 68 masters female runners, those running over 30 miles per week reported significantly more injuries.
Strength training and age were not associated with injury rates, and nearly all participants cross-trained regardless of injury history.
Key findings
01Weekly running volume greater than 30 miles was significantly associated with injury rates.
02Strength training participation was not significantly associated with injury rates.
03Age within the masters category was not significantly associated with injury rates.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The survey was developed by the researchers and had not undergone validity or reliability testing, so some questions may have been misinterpreted. All data relied on self-report and recall, which can introduce bias in both training history and injury reporting. Selection bias is likely because participants were recruited from Midwest running clubs via social media and word of mouth, and those who completed the survey may differ from those who did not. The cross-sectional design cannot establish whether cross-training preceded or followed injuries, so no causal relationship can be inferred. Findings may not generalise beyond recreational masters female runners in the US Midwest who run at least twice weekly.
Declared interests
The authors declared no financial support and no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that strength training or cross-training fails to prevent injuries based on this study. The survey did not establish whether cross-training began before or after the reported injuries, and it could not rule out that some injuries resulted from the cross-training activities themselves.