Prevalence and incidence rate of injuries in runners at a local athletic club in Cape Town

Abstract

Abstract: People across the world are running on a daily basis to improve their health status. However, running can predispose an individual to injury to the back and lower limb. Baseline data on prevalence, incidence rate of injury and aetiological factors associated with running injuries are needed by physiotherapists to develop and implement effective prevention programmes to allow optimal performance in runners. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and incidence of injuries in runners at a local athletic club. Methods: A prospective, non-experimental cohort study was conducted over a 16 week period. A sample of 50 runners completed a self-administered questionnaire and an injury report form recording injuries sustained during the 16 week study period. Injury prevalence and cumulative incidence was calculated as a proportion rate along with 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence rate of injuries was 32%. The incidence rate of injuries was 0.67 per 1000km run (95% CI: 0.41- 1.08). The most common anatomical sites for new injuries were the calf (20%) and the knee (18%). Conclusions: The study found a moderate prevalence and incidence rate of injury in runners, thus the need for physiotherapyled injury surveillance and prevention programmes have been highlighted.