Mayo Clinic recruits runners for third annual study
For the third consecutive year Mayo Clinic is recruiting runners of all abilities to participate in Runner’s Science, a one-of-a-kind study aimed at uncovering the ways running affects the body. The study is an opportunity for runners to learn about why running may be good (or not good) for them, and may help them learn what they can do to run a better race.
A major focus of this year’s study is to shed light on a question every runner has asked themselves at some point: “What predisposes me to injury during training?” The hardships of marathon and half-marathon training often pose risk of lower extremity injuries, from those as minor as a sprain or strain to those as serious as a stress fracture. The study will attempt to determine what type of training profile or running background may be linked to this risk.
Data for the study will be collected by asking runners specific questions about mileage, training program and location, prior injuries and many other factors that may potentially contribute to lower extremity injury. Investigators hope to analyze this data to determine if a certain runner profile seems to make some runners more prone to injuries than others. To participate in the study, runners need simply to fill out a brief survey. The survey will be available at the 26.2 With Donna marathon expo Friday February 19 and Saturday February 20, 2010 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville. [map]
Participation of runners of all levels is welcomed, from first time half/full marathoners to “seasoned” marathoners with more than 100 races under their belts. Study participants play a vital role in helping Runner’s Science uncover important knowledge about running and its impact on the body. More than 500 runners have turned out to date, and study investigators hope to recruit even more this year.
Studies conducted in the first two years have revealed new findings about topics such as Body Mass Index (BMI), sodium levels and race pace. The findings provide helpful tips and conclusions that runners (marathon and otherwise) can take away take away from the work that has been done and use to improve their own personal performance. They will be on display in greater detail at the Runner’s Science expo booth.
