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01-06-2021 | Nutrition, Exercise and Lifestyle (S Shapses and R Daly, Section Editors)

Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload

Authors: Stuart J. Warden, W. Brent Edwards, Richard W. Willy

Published in: Current Osteoporosis Reports | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

Bone stress injuries (BSIs) occur at inopportune times to invariably interrupt training. All BSIs in runners occur due to an “error” in workload wherein the interaction between the number and magnitude of bone tissue loading cycles exceeds the ability of the tissue to resist the repetitive loads. There is not a single optimal bone workload, rather a range which is influenced by the prevailing scenario. In prepubertal athletes, optimal bone workload consists of low-repetitions of fast, high-magnitude, multidirectional loads introduced a few times per day to induce bone adaptation. Premature sports specialization should be avoided so as to develop a robust skeleton that is structurally optimized to withstand multidirectional loading. In the mature skeleton, optimal workload enables gains in running performance but minimizes bone damage accumulation by sensibly progressing training, particularly training intensity. When indicated (e.g., following repeated BSIs), attempts to reduce bone loading magnitude should be considered, such as increasing running cadence. Determining the optimal bone workload for an individual athlete to prevent and manage BSIs requires consistent monitoring. In the future, it may be possible to clinically determine bone loads at the tissue level to facilitate workload progressions and prescriptions.

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Title: Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload
Authors: Stuart J. Warden
W. Brent Edwards
Richard W. Willy
Publication date: 01-06-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Osteoporosis Reports / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1544-1873
Electronic ISSN: 1544-2241
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-021-00666-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Preventing Bone Stress Injuries in Runners with Optimal Workload

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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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