Do Young Triathletes Have a Greater Predisposition to Suffer Running Injuries

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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In running 70% of the lower limb, injuries are produced in the running segment. The vast majority of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries in young athletes are caused by overuse. Previous research has shown a clear association between running-related injuries and kinematic patterns, showing the existence of a causal relationship between biomechanical alterations and injures. According to the evidence, that real-time visual and auditory feedback based on gait retraining should be considered to treat injured runners or prevent injuries. However, no previous studies have been carried out on whether gait retraining decreases running-related injuries incidence in young triathletes. The investigators propose a study to determine the effect of gait retraining on the decrease in the number of running-related injuries and improve the running efficiency in young triathletes.

Official Title
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Do Young Triathletes Have a Greater Predisposition to Suffer Running Injuries

Conditions
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Gait Retraining, Kinematics

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Gait retraining


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Triathletes included in the Triathlon Plan in High Performance of the Valencian Community in Spain. Reported running a minimum of 2 days per week for the last 3 months with no reported injury. Worst pain rated a minimum of 3 out 10 on a numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain (0=no pain, 10=worst possible pain) Exclusion Criteria: Previous musculoskeletal surgery. Neurological impairment Structural deformity in the knee. Pain suffered by trauma or sports activity, having stopped running or receiving additional treatment outside the study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 11 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Gait Retraining Group<br>Athletes from the Triathlon Plan in High Performance of the Valencian Community in Spain performing individual gait retraining sessions | Other: Gait retraining<br>* 5 gait retraining sessions of continuous feedback in real time during running sessions; using videotape feedback, a digital metronome to increase step rate, and verbal feedback to reduce the tendency to heel strike upon ground contact. Verbal feedback is offered during the 25- to 30-minute running sessions following a series of drills aimed at improving running mechanics.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Surface Electromyography | Mean activation amplitude of gluteus medius. | Baseline - 7 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3D Kinematic Analysis | Peak angle at midstance defined as of the maximum pelvis joint angle between initial contact and toe-off. The tool to assess this variable would be an Inertial measurement unit (IMU) located at sacral vertebra S1 | Baseline - 7 months | 
| Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) | Oxygen Consumption during running | Baseline - 7 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gait Analysis, Triathlon, Running, Gait Retraining