News has emerged that Dublin City University (DCU) will be leading the largest study of recreational and novice runners undertaken in Europe in a bid to investigate the cause of running related injuries.

The DCU Running Injury Surveillance Centre Study (DCU RISC Study) is an innovative research project that will be using motion analysis systems, as well as inertial sensors, to analyse running techniques in order to bring about an end to the rising catalogue of injuries among leisure runners and joggers.

Every year, an estimated 79% of all recreational runners become injured and according to DCU, this rising catalogue of injuries is inflicting a strain on both the work force and the health system.

DCU have also said these injuries are likely to prevent recreational runners from continuing with running and gaining the health and social benefits associated with running.

A team of researchers from DCU’s Running Injury Surveillance Centre are asking for volunteer runners of all levels to participate in a two-year study in which their strength, flexibility and running technique will be analysed using state of the art technology.

This will give recreational runners the chance to get a taste of performance analysis at a whole new level, one which has been experienced only by Ireland’s most elite runners in the past.

The first part of this study is to identify the predisposing causes of injury. Runners taking part will have their running technique assessed and should they sustain an injury over the following two years, runners will be provided with an assessment and injury management advice.

Dr Kieran Moran, RISC research group leader said:

“Questions still remain surrounding the causes of running injuries, leading to a considerable barrier regarding effective prevention.

“We plan to use inexpensive, wearable sensor technology to detect injury risk with the ultimate goal of reducing running related injuries in Ireland. Simultaneously, we will collect and analyse running technique with a new €300,000 ‘motion analysis system’ from Science Foundation Ireland to validate the wearable technology.

“Ultimately the use of wearable sensors combined with artificial intelligence will allow us to provide runners with an inexpensive, technological solution that can help determine their predisposition to injury.”

Aoife Burke, PhD student and Certified Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapist (ARTC), said runners will be provided with real-time advice on their techniques.

According to Ms Burke:

“The research is distinctive because it will allow for real-time analysis of running technique. Knowledge of the causes of injury collected in this manner would mean that a runner could be informed immediately by the RISC system that they need to adjust their technique or training programme, and how they should do this.” 

“This system will also be able to provide individualised feedback to runners over time and detect changes in technique specific to them, rather than just comparing them to other runners who may have a different body size, muscle and tissue strength and previous injuries”, added Sarah Dillon, PhD candidate and Chartered Physiotherapist.

For further information about the study and how to sign up is available here. Alternatively you can email dcuriscstudy@gmail.com and for updates you can follow the team on Twitter @DCU_RISC_Study.