Complaints and symptoms of running-related injuries and pain characterization in Brazilian runners: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Introduction: Running is a very popular mode of physical activity worldwide. However, the risk of running-related injuries (RRI) is a matter of concern in running practice. There is no evidence on the most frequent complaints and symptoms of RRIs. In addition, classifications based on pain mechanisms may help to explain variations in the nature and severity of RRI. Objectives: To investigate and classify the complaints and symptoms of RRIs, and to investigate the proportion of injured runners who have a predominance of pain classified as nociceptive, neuropathic or central sensitisation. Methods: The data collection of this study will be performed through an online questionnaire with five steps: (1) free and informed consent term; (2) collection of personal and training data; (3) if the runner reports that have pain as a symptom of RRI, he/she will be invited to chose the body region where he/she feels the pain, report how that pain started and reports the intensity about this pain in a 0-10 numerical rating pain scale (NRPS); (4) the participant will be invited to answer some questions about characteristics of pain for later classification in nociceptive, neuropathic or central sensitization; (5) if the runner reports that have other complaints or symptoms of RRI, he/she will be invited to report which it is, report how that complaints or symptoms started, chose the body region where he/she feels the complaints or symptom, and report the intensity about these complaints or symptoms in a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Data analysis: Descriptive analyses will be performed to summaries and present the data. Inferences on the proportion of runners with specific symptoms, including pain and their classifications (nociceptive, neuropathic or central sensitization), will be performed through Bayesian analysis.