Musculoeskeletal injuries and illnesses in the Spanish team the month prior to the WMTRC 2022

Abstract

Introduction

The recent professionalization of trail running has focussed the interest in this sport. The aim is to describe the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses among professional Spanish trail runners team during the month of training prior to the World Mountain and Trail Running Championship 2022.

Material and Methods

33 professional athletes from Spanish National Team that competed in the World Championship participated in the study. They completed a pre-participation health questionnaire based on the specific questionnaire "Oslo Sport Trauma Research Center - Health 2″.

Results

55% of the athletes suffered a musculoeskeletal injury or health problem during the last month. 12% had to modify their performance in a moderate or severe way. By anatomic location the foot was the most affected with 33% of the cases, followed by the ankle in 25%. Among the diagnoses, chronic overuse musculoskeletal injuries represented 80% with tendinopathy being the most frequent. Regarding the symptons 53% affected upper respiratory tract and 23% gastrointestinal problems.

Conclusions

There is a high risk for the professional trail runners who carry out a continued practice of trail running to suffer an injury or health problem, although most of such injuries or health problems have little impact on their sports performance. The foot and the upper respiratory system are the most affected.