Alternate Run Study

University of British Columbia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overuse Injury

Treatments: Other: Alternating run training load; Other: Constant training; Other: Constant footwear; Other: Alternating footwear

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03082651

H16-00858

Details and patient eligibility

About

The proposed study will investigate the effect of alternating footwear model and workout-type on the occurrence of running-related pain. To achieve this goal participants will be randomly assigned into one of four different groups who will perform: 1) the same workout throughout a week in the same running shoe model, 2) alternating workout-types throughout the week in the same shoe model, 3) the same workout throughout a week in alternating shoe models, and 4) alternating workouts in alternating shoes. Participants will be characterized based on body alignment, strength, injury and training history. Pain and injury status will be monitored.

Enrollment: 300 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 19 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects in this study will include adults (men and women) between the ages of 19 and 60, have been running on a regular basis (minimum once per week) over the past 6 months, are able to run for 60 minutes continuously, could tolerate 20-40km per week in training, and have not experienced a running related injury requiring a stoppage of 2-weeks or more in the past 6 months. Only neutral and pronated foot postures (Foot Posture Index between -2 and 8) will be recruited

Exclusion criteria

• have a history of surgery to their plantar fascia or Achilles tendon,
• have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis - or other degenerative musculoskeletal disorder - affecting the lower extremity,
• take analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication 2 or more times per week over the past 4 weeks,
• take part in high impact activities 2 or more times per week during the study period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

300 participants in 4 patient groups

Constant training/Constant footwear

Active Comparator group

Description:

Group 1 - Runners will be assigned identical training sessions over a 7-day period and will perform these runs in two pairs of the same assigned neutral-cushioned running shoe (Nike Pegasus). The weekly training volume will increase on a weekly basis in order to progressively increase training load in preparation for the half-marathon event.

Treatment:

Other: Constant training

Other: Constant footwear

Alternate training/Constant footwear

Experimental group

Description:

Group 2 - Runners will perform a variation of workouts, consisting of interval/speed work, tempo runs, and long-slow distance runs throughout each 7-day period. As with Group 1, weekly training volume will increase on a weekly basis. Runners in Group 2 will perform these runs in two pairs of the same assigned neutral-cushioned running shoe (Nike Pegasus).

Treatment:

Other: Alternating run training load

Other: Constant footwear

Constant training/Alternating footwear

Experimental group

Description:

Group 3 - Runners will be assigned identical training sessions over a 7-day period but will alternate use of two different models of running shoes across successive workouts (Nike Pegasus and Nike Zoom Streak). The Zoom Streak has 10mm less midsole material, a less supportive heel counter and more flexible forefoot providing a more responsive feel to the runner.

Treatment:

Other: Constant training

Other: Alternating footwear

Alternating training/Alternating footwear

Experimental group

Description:

Group 4 - Runners will be assigned a variation of workouts throughout each 7-day period and will alternate use of two different models of running shoes across successive workouts (Nike Pegasus and Nike Zoom Streak).

Treatment:

Other: Alternating footwear

Other: Alternating run training load