Effects of Strength Training on Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries in Female Runners (STARS)
Overuse Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Overuse Injury
Eligibility Criteria
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
Sites / Locations
- Wake Forest University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
No Intervention
Strength Training Group
Running Group
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).
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.