Preventing lower extremity injury in elite orienteerers: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: The high physical load associated with running through uneven terrain contributes toorienteerers being exposed to high injury risk, where the majority of injuries are located in the lower extremities. Specific training programmes have been effective at reducing injury risk in sports. Yet no trial has been conducted in elite orienteering. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a specific training programme in preventing lower extremity injury in adult elite orienteerers.

Study design: Randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: Seventy-two Swedish elite orienteerers, aged 18-40 years, are allocated to an intervention or control group. The intervention group performs four specific exercises, with three difficult levels intensified every second week over the first 4 weeks, targeting strength, flexibility and coordination of the lower extremity. The exercises are completed four times a week (10 min per session) in conjunction with normal training over 14 weeks. Injury data are collected every second week using a valid injury questionnaire distributed by text messages over 14 weeks. The primary outcome is number of substantial injuries in the lower extremity. The secondary outcomes are incidence of ankle sprains and the average substantial injury prevalence across 14 weeks.

Discussion: Due to high injury risk and lack of injury prevention trials in orienteering, an RCT investigating the effect of a specific exercise programme in preventing lower extremity injury is warranted. The results of this trial will be beneficial to orienteerers, clubs and federations, and increase our understanding on how lower extremity injuries can be prevented in a physically challenging sport.

Trial registration number: NCT03408925.

Keywords: injury; prevention; running.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1

Flow chart of participant enrolment.

Figure 2

One-leg stance (A), 2 min/leg. Level 1, one-leg stance with eyes closed on soft surface; level 2, one-leg stance with eyes closed on soft surface with arm/leg movements; level 3, one-leg stance with eyes closed on soft surface repeatedly performing single leg knee bends. Runner’s pose (B), 3×10/leg. Level 1, single leg stance simulating a runner’s step; level 2, single leg stance simulating a runner’s step with a one leg heel raise in end position; level 3, single leg stance simulating a runner’s step, on a soft surface, with a one leg heel raise in end position. One leg heel raise (C), 3×15/leg. Level 1, one leg heel raise without finger support; level 2, one leg heel raise in a stair with finger support; level 3, one leg heel raise in a stair without finger support. One leg side hop (D), 2×30/leg. Level 1, one leg side hop, 40 cm distance, optional arm position; level 2, one leg side hop, 40 cm distance, with crossed arms; level 3, one leg side hop, 40 cm distance, with crossed arms and simultaneous cervical rotation.