Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Role of Shoe Cushioning, Body Mass and Running Biomechanics on Injury Risk: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief Summary: The main goal is to investigate the influence of shoe cushioning and body mass on the risk of running-related injury. This study will allow to determine if shoe cushioning needs to be adapted to the mass of the runner in order to minimize injury risk. The influence of shoe cushioning on running technique will also be investigated.

This study consists in a 6-month follow-up period during which leisure-time runners are required to perform a running activity at least once a week and to upload all their running as well as other sporting activities onto a secured web-based training calendar named "Training and Injury Prevention Platform for Sports" (TIPPS) on a weekly basis. Any injury sustained during this period should also be uploaded onto the TIPPS system using the injury questionnaire provided on the website. Finally, the day of the visit to the laboratory (study start), their running style will be analysed during a 15-minute run on an instrumented treadmill at the participant's usual running speed. Anthropometric measurements will also taken.

Before the beginning of the study, the participants will receive a pair of running shoes free of charge. These shoes will either have a soft or hard sole. Both shoe versions have cushioning properties that correspond to the range of values from the shoes available on the market. They will be administered through random allocation. Neither the participants nor the research team will know which shoe version was provided to the participant, in order to respect the double-blinded methodology of this study. The participants will be required to use these shoes for all running sessions, and only for running activities.

Hypotheses:

H1: Running shoes with greater stiffness are associated with a higher injury risk in leisure-time runners.

H2: High body mass is associated with a higher injury risk in leisure-time runners.

H3: Runners with a high body mass experience a lower injury risk in shoes with greater stiffness.

H4: A higher step length, a lower step frequency, and higher peak vertical impact forces are associated with a higher injury risk.

H5: Running shoes with greater stiffness will be associated with higher vertical impact peak forces and a shorter contact time.

H6: High body mass will be associated with higher peak vertical impact forces, increased contact time, increased duty factor, and decreased step frequency.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 18 and 65 years
* Agree to perform running training minimum once a week
* Agree to use of the pair of running shoes delivered by the research team for each running training session, and only for running activities
* Agree to report all sporting activities, injuries and pains in the electronic system "TIPPS"
* Signed Informed consent
* Capable of performing 15 min of consecutive running

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any contraindication to running training and testing including cardiovascular/respiratory disease or running impeding injury/condition at the time of initial inclusion
* A history of surgery to the lower limbs or the back region within the previous 12 months or any degenerative conditions
* The use of insoles for physical activity
* Any current running-related injury
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Novice recreational runners
* Less than one year of running experience
* Run at least twice a week for a total weekly distance between 5 and 15 km as your main form of physical activity
* 18-50 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

* Neurological abnormalities or lower extremity injury or pain within three months of enrollment.
* No extensive history with balance training or isolated ankle strengthening within the last year.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Sustained a physician-confirmed intra-articular sport-related knee injury in age 18 years or younger

Exclusion Criteria:

* Injury or a flare-up at the time of recruitment, which makes the individual unable to participate in more than two exercises in the exercise program
* Pregnancy
* Any contraindication to exercise
* Lower extremity surgery within the last 6 months
* Already attending structured supervised exercise or other treatment to improve knee function
* Not available to participate in the weekly exercise classes
D: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of patellofemoral pain
2. No history of any cardiovascular issues.
3. Currently running as part of training program

Exclusion Criteria:

1. No patellofemoral pain present.
2. Not currently running as part of training program
3. Other lower extremity pain and/or injury that interferes with ability to run.
4. Pregnant
5. Not in the selected age ranges
6. Presence of cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary diseases

Answer: A