PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN STREET RUNNERS IN THE CITY OF ARACAJU/SE

Abstract

Regular physical exercise is considered a very important tool for disease prevention and health promotion. In Brazil, the number of participants in street running has been increasing exponentially due to the ease of its practice as well as the wide-ranging health benefits and the low cost involved. However, in parallel with the popularization of the practice, the risk and prevalence of injuries among runners is also increasing. In this context, understanding the prevalence of injuries among street runners and which are the main variables that may be associated becomes important so that one can think and study prevention strategies aiming at effective actions to minimize the risk of injury. A total of seventy (70) individuals, aged 18 years or older, participated in the study. The study was composed of both genders, 51% male and 49% female with a mean age of 38.14±8.28 years. 64% of the sample has their workouts prescribed by Physical Education professionals, as for the level of practice 54% say they have an intermediate level. 39% of the sample presents or had some type of injury, being the women more affected by such situation, 52%. The injury with the highest incidence was the Iliotibial Stress Syndrome, popularly known as cannellitis, with a percentage of 52%. We conclude that runners are subject to many types of injuries, which mainly affect the lower limbs.