Are anthropometric and kinematic parameters of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex related to running injuries?

The purpose of the experiment was to test whether specific anthropometric or kinematic parameters of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex were related to running injuries. A case-control design was used to compare a group of 22 runners with a history of injury within the previous 12 months to a group of 19 injury-free controls. All runners were pain-free at the time of measurement. Groups were matched for self-reported average running volume per week and average number of running sessions per week. Anthropometric and kinematic parameters, previously speculated as being related to running injuries, were selected for evaluation. Running trials were conducted on a treadmill at a speed of 4.0 m/sec. The three-dimensional angular rotations of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip during running were measured using a VICON motion analysis system with seven cameras operating at a sampling rate of 200 Hz. None of the measured anthropometric or kinematic parameters were found to be significantly different between the injured and control groups. Despite the theoretical rationale, no evidence was found in the current experiment demonstrating a clear relationship between anthropometric or kinematic parameters of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex and running injuries.