🎙️ Episode Overview

Host: Evan Nelson, Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin
Guests:

Dr. Micah Garcia, Assistant Professor at Thomas More University, expert in youth running biomechanics and injury prevention.

Coach Matt Cooper, Head Cross Country Coach at Verona High School, Verona, Wisconsin.

🧠 Topic: Perceptions of Running-Related Injuries

This episode explores how adolescent and adult runnersperceive the causes and prevention of running injuries, based on the 2024 study:
“The Dogma of Running Injuries: Perceptions of Adolescent and Adult Runners” (Journal of Athletic Training).

📊 Study Highlights

Participants: 659 runners (ages 9+), globally recruited.

Groups: Adolescents (≤19 years) vs. Adults (≥20 years).

Method: Survey on beliefs about injury risk and prevention.

🧩 Key Findings

✅ Commonly Perceived Risk Factors:

Poor bone health, low calcium, negative caloric intake

Tight muscles, hard surfaces, narrow steps, high-mileage shoes

Previous injury (strongest evidence-supported risk)

✅ Commonly Perceived Protective Factors:

Stretching (dynamic before, static after)

Strong legs/core, cross-training, cushioned shoes

Taking rest/off days

🔍 Adolescents vs. Adults:

Adolescents emphasized footwear, stretching, and surface.

Adults emphasized overtraining and strength training.

🧪 Evidence-Based Truths

Only strong evidence: Previous injury increases future injury risk.

Inconclusive evidence: Most other factors (e.g., stretching, footwear, cadence).

Cadence: Lower cadence linked to shin injuries in adolescents (emerging evidence).

Strength training: Valuable for performance and bone health, though not conclusively injury-preventive.

🧠 Coach & Researcher Insights

Coach Cooper: Emphasizes education, strength training, and athlete buy-in. Plans to use fatigue curves and alumni talks to improve understanding.

Dr. Garcia: Encourages bridging the gap between research and coaching. Notes that beliefs often influence behavior—except in nutrition, where awareness didn’t match action.

🧰 Practical Takeaways

Coaches: Use athlete-friendly education, visuals, and peer examples.

Researchers: Simplify findings, attend coaching clinics, and collaborate with coaches.

Everyone: Be curious, adaptable, and evidence-informed.

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