Effects of Strength Training on Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries in Female Runners (STARS)

Wake Forest University (WFU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overuse Injury

Treatments: Behavioral: Strength Training Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT03080246

IRB00034222

W81XWH-16-1-0001 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of strength training in preventing overuse injuries in female runners

Full description

This randomized clinical trial will compare the effects of 9-months of strength training to a control group on: (1) injury rates in female runners during the 9 month intervention period, and for 9 months after completing the intervention, and (2) on the potential mechanisms of injury including strength, joint and tissue loading, and psychosocial factors.

Enrollment: 150 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female civilian runners between 18-60 years old
• Run at least 5 miles per week for the past 6 months
• No overuse injuries in the past 6 months
• Plan to stay in the area for the next year and a half
• Live less than 30 miles from Wake Forest University or High Point University

Exclusion criteria

• Male
• Under age 18 and over age 60
• Chronic diseases, orthopedic conditions, past anterior cruciate ligament tears
• Currently pregnant or planning to conceive within the next 18 months
• Observed by study staff as unwilling to attend testing/intervention sessions
• Observed by study staff as unwilling to communicate via telephone and email regularly with study personnel
• Participated in formal strength training in the past 6 months
• Current active military or active military reserve

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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150 participants in 2 patient groups

Strength Training Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will begin coming to the Clinical Research Center (near the undergraduate campus of Wake Forest University) for exercise classes 2-3 days per week for about an hour each day. The investigators also have a site on High Point University's campus. The class will consist of a 10-minute warm-up, a 20-minute strength training period, 15-minutes of neuromuscular (balance/coordination) training, and a 15-minute cool down. These regular exercise classes at Wake Forest and High Point University will go on for 9 months, followed by another 9 months of option to continue at facility, plus follow-up via email and 2 group meetings/runs at Fleet Feet (at around months 12 and 15).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Strength Training Exercise

Running Group

No Intervention group

Description:

This group will be observed as they follow their usual run-training routine over the course of 18 months. Emails will be sent biweekly for 18 months to update the research team on injury/training status. The group will attend 5 group meetings/runs at Fleet Feet (at around months 1, 3, 6, 12, and 15). After the 18 months, the participants will be offered a free 8-week strength training program at the Clinical Research Center or High Point University.