Running-related injuries in Portuguese trail runners: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to characterize trail running injuries within a cohort of Portuguese male and female recreational trail running athletes. METHODS: The study was retrospective (12 months), with data collected through an online survey. A total of 719 athletes participated (529 male and 190 female, average age: 38.01 +/- 7.78 years). A valid questionnaire was used to collect: 1) demographic information; 2) general information; 3) training typology; 4) physical information; 5) injuries (body location. number, type, reason, treatment, time without practice); and 6) general information concerning the effects of injuries on respondents' daily lives. RESULTS: The results revealed that 87.8% of the sample contracted an injury resulting from this practice, with the toenails (24.8%), knees (17.5%), and ankles (14.5%) being the most-often reported locations of injuries and blisters (20%), irritation (chafing) (14%), superficial wounds (12%). sprains (11%), and iliotibial band syndrome (7%) being the most common injuries. The result of 10.0 injuries per 1000 h was found, with a negative and medium correlation (r=-0344; P=0.000) between total exposure time and injuries per 1000 h. It was also found that those who do not perform warm-up have a significantly increased injury rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The gathered evidence demonstrated a large number of dermatological and musculoskeletal injuries, and these tended to have higher incidences in athletes with less exposure time and who devalue warm-up exercises.