A framework for the etiology of running-related injuries
- Authors: Bertelsen, Michael , Hulme, Adam , Petersen, Jesper , Brund, Rene , Sørensen, Henrik , Finch, Caroline , Parner, Erik , Nielsen, Rasmus
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports Vol. 27, no. 11 (2017), p. 1170-1180
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The etiology of running-related injury is important to consider as the effectiveness of a given running-related injury prevention intervention is dependent on whether etiologic factors are readily modifiable and consistent with a biologically plausible causal mechanism. Therefore, the purpose of the present article was to present an evidence-informed conceptual framework outlining the multifactorial nature of running-related injury etiology. In the framework, four mutually exclusive parts are presented: (a) Structure-specific capacity when entering a running session; (b) structure-specific cumulative load per running session; (c) reduction in the structure-specific capacity during a running session; and (d) exceeding the structure-specific capacity. The framework can then be used to inform the design of future running-related injury prevention studies, including the formation of research questions and hypotheses, as well as the monitoring of participation-related and non-participation-related exposures. In addition, future research applications should focus on addressing how changes in one or more exposures influence the risk of running-related injury. This necessitates the investigation of how different factors affect the structure-specific load and/or the load capacity, and the dose-response relationship between running participation and injury risk. Ultimately, this direction allows researchers to move beyond traditional risk factor identification to produce research findings that are not only reliably reported in terms of the observed cause-effect association, but also translatable in practice. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Closing Pandora's Box : Adapting a systems ergonomics methodology for better understanding the ecological complexity underpinning the development and prevention of running-related injury
- Authors: Hulme, Adam , Salmon, Paul , Nielsen, Rasmus , Read, Gemma , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science Vol. 18, no. 4 (2017), p. 338-359
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- Description: The popularity of running as a form of exercise continues to increase dramatically worldwide. Alongside this participation growth is the burden of running-related injury (RRI). Over the past four decades, traditional scientific research applications have primarily attempted to isolate discrete risk factors for RRI using observational study designs as commonly used in public health epidemiology. Unfortunately, only very few randomised controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy associated with a well-specified RRI prevention intervention. Even though the knowledge about risk factors as generated in observational studies is valuable for better understanding why RRI develops, it nonetheless means that there remains a major knowledge gap about how best to prevent it, especially in a way that fully addresses all causal factors. Alongside the continuing use of traditional scientific approaches, a particular systems ergonomics methodology should also be considered in light of its potential to visualise the complete distance running system. This article adapts the Systems Theoretic Accident Mapping and Processes (STAMP) model to the RRI research prevention context. The direct application of STAMP might offer new knowledge about how to prevent RRI, such as exposing questions around the feasibility of adopting novel injury prevention interventions that do not directly target runners themselves. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Theoretical perspectives on using epidemiology and systems thinking to better understand the aetiology and prevention of distance running-related injury
- Authors: Hulme, Adam
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: On a global scale, the sporting activity of distance running has increased in popularity. This is likely attributable to a growing societal concern for the documented rise in several lifestyle-related chronic diseases. As a form of exercise, running provides significant beneficial effects on a range of biomedical health indices, and is the preferred physical activity of choice for many people given its high accessibility and relatively low financial cost. Notwithstanding the many health-related benefits associated with running, the risk of sustaining a distance running-related injury (RRI) can be high. Therefore, from an injury prevention perspective, understanding why runners sustain RRI is of primary scientific importance. Over the last fifty years, the science behind RRI causation and prevention has attracted considerable interest amongst sports injury prevention researchers. During that time, there has been a concerted scholarly effort to understand the aetiology of RRI from an epidemiological and clinical research-based standpoint. Traditional scientific approaches have attempted to identify the effect of discrete trainingrelated, behavioural, and/or biomechanical exposures on the risk of developing either general or specific RRI. Despite what is now a considerable body of work, several descriptive and systematic reviews have found a history of previous injury to be the only definitive risk factor for subsequent RRI development. Alongside the continuing application of traditional scientific approaches, this PhD thesis promotes the use of a complementary ‘systems thinking’ theoretical perspective for better understanding the development and prevention of RRI. There are several contained chapters, the first of which is a systematic review of the RRI aetiological literature. After examining in closer detail the causal mechanism underpinning RRI development, a series of papers urge injury prevention scientists to consider drawing on alternative philosophical perspectives when planning and designing research. In building on the preceding arguments, the final chapters involve the construction of a systems ergonomics control structure model of the Australian distance running system, including the way RRI is managed and controlled.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy