Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2020

Comments

This is the authors' accepted manuscript from Sports Health, Jul/Aug 2020;12(4):334-340.

The final published verison can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738120919331

Copyright. The Authors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Female runners are at increased risk of stress fractures (SFs) compared with men. Literature is lacking with regard to best practice for preventing and treating SFs in women. The purpose of the study was to compare physiological measures and running-related factors between women of various ages and running abilities with and without a history of running-related SFs.

HYPOTHESIS: Women with and without SF histories will differ with regard to medical and menstrual history, bone health, body composition, nutrition, and running history.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

METHODS: A total of 20 female runners with SF histories were matched based on age and running distance with 20 women without SF histories. Data included medical, menstrual, running, injury, and nutritional histories; blood histology related to nutritional, hormonal, and bone-related risk factors; and bone density, fat, and lean tissue using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Paired

RESULTS: Women with SF histories had lower hip bone mineral density compared with women without SF histories (

CONCLUSION: Female runners with low hip bone mineral density, menstrual changes during peak training, and elevated bone turnover markers may be at increased risk of SF.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Female runners need routine screening for risks associated with SF occurrence. As bone mineral density and bone turnover markers are not routinely assessed in this population, important risk factors may be missed.

PubMed ID

32525466

Language

English

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