Risk Factors, Prevention, and Recovery of Knee Joint Injuries in Marathon Runners

Jinpeng Zhang

doi:10.54691/1n7gnx65

Authors

Jinpeng Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/1n7gnx65

Keywords:

Marathon running; Knee joint injury; Risk factors; Prevention strategies; Recovery strategies.

Abstract

Driven by the national strategies of "Fitness for All" and "Building a Strong Sports Nation," marathon running has experienced rapid growth in China, with a significant increase in participants. However, due to the high-load nature of marathon running, knee injuries have become a common health risk among runners, severely affecting their performance and overall health. Despite this, domestic research has yet to establish a systematic understanding of the risk factors, prevention, and recovery strategies for knee injuries in marathon runners. Given the extensive research on marathon-related knee injuries abroad, this study aims to review and synthesize international research on the risk factors, prevention, and recovery strategies for knee injuries in marathon runners. In terms of risk factors, the primary internal factors for knee injuries include muscle strength and running technique, while external factors encompass excessive training load and footwear type. Effective prevention strategies include balancing muscle strength, optimizing running technique, managing training load, and selecting appropriate running shoes. For injured runners, initial recovery strategies involve physical therapy, medication, and exercise therapy. In the intermediate phase, gradual load increase and progress monitoring are essential, followed by a step-by-step return to running to ensure a scientifically guided recovery. This study provides marathon runners with a systematic approach to the prevention and management of knee injuries, aiming to support their long-term healthy running careers.

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References

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