October 12, 2022, 3:34 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Running is excellent training for the cardiovascular system. However, over time, this one-sided sport can be harmful to the bones of young people. This is suggested by the findings of a recent study. What can help: occasionally engaging in “multidirectional” sports. FITBOOK takes a closer look at this.
Overview
Poor Bone Development in Runners
Runners comparatively often suffer from so-called bone stress injuries and fractures—this is the premise of the study recently published in the professional press.1 The research team from various U.S. faculties examined the impact of multidirectional sports in this context. It was found that young people who incorporated sports like basketball or soccer into their routine had stronger bones and were less prone to stress-related injuries than those who only ran.
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Study Findings
The study focused on health data from professional cross-country runners in American leagues, specifically their medical records. Throughout their athletic careers, they frequently dealt with fractures and similar stress injuries to the bones. An exception was those who, in addition to running, had also played soccer or basketball in the past. This was explained by study author Stuart Warden, a professor at the School of Health and Human Sciences at Indiana University, to the science portal “Science Daily.”2 These women had developed stronger bones and an overall more robust, larger skeleton in their younger years, making them less prone to injuries.
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Recommendations for Young Athletes (and Their Parents)
According to Warden, there is a widespread misconception in the U.S. that young athletes must specialize in a single sport to be successful in a competitive context. However, recent data shows that these athletes often do not reach professional levels. Due to their increased risk of overuse injuries, they frequently drop out and require long recovery periods. The professor’s warning not to pigeonhole students into a single sport also applies to parents, teachers, and coaches. It remains important for young athletes to take breaks throughout the year for recovery. This benefits both their bones and athletic performance.
Sources
- 1. Warden, S.J. Sventeckis, A.M., Surowiec, R.K., Fuchs. R.K. (2022). Enhanced Bone Size, Microarchitecture, and Strength in Female Runners with a History of Playing Multidirectional Sports. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
- 2. Science Daily. Sports like soccer, basketball better for young athletes’ bone health than running alone. (accessed on 10/12/2022)