Educational online prevention programme (the SPRINT study) has no effect on the number of running-related injuries in recreational runners: a randomised-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an enhanced online injury prevention programme on the number of running-related injuries (RRIs) in recreational runners. METHODS: We conducted a randomised-controlled trial in runners who registered for running events (distances: 10-42.195 km) in the Netherlands. Adult runners who provided informed consent were randomised into the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received access to the online prevention programme, which included items to prevent RRIs. Participants in the control group followed their regular preparation for the running event. The primary outcome measure was the number of new RRIs from baseline to 1 month after the running event. To determine differences between injury proportions, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: This study included 4050 recreational runners (63.5% males; mean (SD) age: 42.3 (12.1) years) for analyses. During follow-up, 35.5% (95% CI: 33.5 to 37.6) of the participants in the intervention group sustained a new RRI compared with 35.4% (95% CI: 33.3 to 37.5) of the participants in the control group, with no between-group difference (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.17). There was a positive association between the number of items followed in the injury prevention programme and the number of RRIs (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.11). CONCLUSION: The enhanced online injury prevention programme had no effect on the number of RRIs in recreational runners, and being compliant with the programme paradoxically was associated with a slightly higher injury rate. Future studies should focus on individual targeted prevention with emphasis on the timing and application of preventive measures. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NL7694.

Enhanced injury prevention programme for recreational runners (the SPRINT study): design of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Running-related injuries (RRIs) are frequent, but no effective injury prevention measures have been identified yet. Therefore, we have set up the INSPIRE trial in 2017, in which the effectiveness of an online injury prevention programme was tested. Although this programme was not effective in reducing the number of RRIs, we gained new insights from this study, which we used to design an enhanced, online multidisciplinary injury prevention programme. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of this enhanced injury prevention programme in a group of recreational runners. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: For this randomised controlled trial, we aim to include 3394 recreational runners aged 18 years or older who register for a running event (distances 10 to 42.2 km). During the preparation for the running event, runners in the intervention group get access to the enhanced online injury prevention programme. This online programme consists of 10 steps, all covering separate items of RRI prevention. Runners in the control group will follow their regular preparation. With three follow-up questionnaires (1 month before, 1 week before and 1 month after the running event), the proportions of self-reported RRIs in the intervention group and the control group are compared. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: An exemption for a comprehensive application has been obtained by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The results of the study will be disseminated among the running population, published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented on international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NL7694.

Endoscopic evaluation and treatment of groin pain in the athlete.

BACKGROUND: Chronic groin pain in athletes forms a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. HYPOTHESIS: Evaluate and treat undiagnosed groin pain in the athlete by endoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Athletes who were referred to the Ikazia Hospital with undiagnosed chronic groin pain between January 1998 and August 2001 were included. Radiography, bone scintigraphy, and ultrasonography were performed. In 14 athletes, groin pain remained undiagnosed. Ten patients complained of unilateral, 4 of bilateral groin pain. Patients underwent a transabdominal or extraperitoneal diagnostic endoscopy. RESULTS: All patients were operated ambulatory without significant difficulties. Pathology found by endoscopy was hernia inguinalis (n = 9), hernia femoralis (n = 4), preperitoneal lipoma (n = 3), and hernia obturatoria (n = 1). Only once was there no pathology. In 17 groins, a Prolene mesh was placed preperitoneally. Thirteen patients (93%) returned to full activity within 3 months of surgery. One year after surgery, one patient had minor symptoms and one patient had persistent symptoms. All other patients had no complaints. CONCLUSIONS: An occult hernia should be high on the list of differential diagnoses in undiagnosed chronic groin pain in athletes. Operative treatment can return the patient to his sport within 3 months.