Runners with osteoarthritis sustain more injuries than healthy runners: An observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Examine whether runners with specific diseases, including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, or multiple diseases, sustain more running-related injuries (RRI) compared with healthy runners in the Garmin-RUNSAFE Running Health Study.

DESIGN: 18-month cohort study.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Participants were runners ≥18 years, proficient in English, and using a Garmin watch. Exposure included having one of the following diseases: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1 or 2, multiple sclerosis (MS), cancer, or multiple diseases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome was sustaining an RRI and was reported through weekly questionnaires. Appropriate censoring methods were applied for discontinued participation. Time-to-event analysis assessed after 1000 km running.

RESULTS: Of 7038 included runners, 6207 had no disease and 831 had at least one of the specified diseases. After 1000 km, 64.4 % of runners with a disease and 56.7 % of healthy runners sustained an RRI, yielding a cumulative incidence risk difference (cIRD) of 8.0 % (95 %CI: 4.0-12.0 %). Among separate diseases, a significant risk difference was observed between the osteoarthritis group and the healthy group, with a cIRD of 14.7 % (95 %CI: 9.0-20.4 %).

CONCLUSIONS: A significantly higher incidence of running-related injuries was observed among adult runners reporting a disease. Runners with osteoarthritis is a particularly vulnerable sub-group.