1039 - Biomechanical Comparison of Pediatric Runners with Tibial Stress Fractures to Adult Counterparts

Objectives: To compare the running-related biomechanical parameters of pediatric patients with history of a recent running-related tibial stress fracture (TSFx) compared to healthy pediatric comparators and adults with and without TSFx.

Design: Cross-sectional study

Results: Compared to non-injured, pediatric patients with TSFx history have slightly higher Kvert (155 N/s vs 139.5 N/s); non-injured adults had higher Kvert than those with TSFx history (171 N/s vs 159 N/s; p=.085). Non-injured pediatric and adult participants produced higher peak GRF than those with STFx (pediatric: 2.88 BW/s vs 2.5 BW/s and adult: 2.52 BW/s vs 2.39 BW/s; p=0.072). Children and adults with TSFx had 7.3% and 5.2% shorter step length, respectively (P< .05), and children overall had longer step length than adults (1.01-1.09 m vs 0.9-0.95 m).

Conclusions: Children may benefit from shortening stride lengths to improve motion control. Both pediatric and adult runners may use retraining techniques to optimize ‘soft’ landings after foot strike to prevent injury. Prospective tracking of these biomechanical running parameters could be used to evaluate the efficacy of these techniques in reducing injury risk over time.