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No Effect of a Graded Training Program on the Number of Running-Related Injuries in Novice Runners

A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ida Buist, MSc^,,*, Steef W. Bredeweg, MD^,, Willem van Mechelen, MD, PhD, Koen A. P. M. Lemmink, PhD^,¶, Gert-Jan Pepping, PhD^,,¶ and Ron L. Diercks, MD, PhD^,

From the University Center for Sport, Exercise and Health, and Center for Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Public and Occupational Health/EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and ^¶ Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

^* Address correspondence to Ida Buist, MSc, University Center for Sport, Exercise and Health, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands (e-mail: i.buist{at}sport.umcg.nl).

Background: Although running has positive effects on health and fitness, the incidence of a running-related injury (RRI) is high. Research on prevention of RRI is scarce; to date, no studies have involved novice runners.

Hypothesis: A graded training program for novice runners will lead to a decrease in the absolute number of RRIs compared with a standard training program.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: GRONORUN (Groningen Novice Running) is a 2-armed randomized controlled trial comparing a standard 8-week training program (control group) and an adapted, graded, 13-week training program (intervention group), on the risk of sustaining an RRI. Participants were novice runners (N = 532) preparing for a recreational 4-mile (6.7-km) running event. The graded 13-week training program was based on the 10% training rule. Both groups registered information on running characteristics and RRI using an Internet-based running log. The primary outcome measure was RRIs per 100 participants. An RRI was defined as any musculoskeletal complaint of the lower extremity or back causing a restriction of running for at least 1 week.

Results: The graded training program was not preventive for sustaining an RRI (² = 0.016, df = 1, P = .90). The incidence of RRI was 20.8% in the graded training program group and 20.3% in the standard training program group.

Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial showed no effect of a graded training program (13 weeks) in novice runners, applying the 10% rule, on the incidence of RRI compared with a standard 8-week training program.

Key Words: running-related injuries • incidence • prevention • training program • novice runners