Relationship between Chronic Pain and Physical Function Among High School Long-Distance Runners

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between regular physical assessment results and chronic pain among high school long-distance runners. Participants included 71 high school long-distance runners that were divided into pain (44 individuals) and non-pain (27 individuals) groups. All subjects underwent regular chronic pain and physical assessments, which included basic information, muscle flexibility, joint mobility, and muscular force, every 6 months. Differences in each measurement between both groups were statistically analyzed. The pain group had a significantly shorter athletic history than in the non-pain group. With regard to physical function, the pain group had significantly lower values for the straight leg raising test, lower leg inclination angle, and hip internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and significantly higher values for hip extension ROM and sole arch efficiency compared to the non-pain group. Inexperienced long-distance runners might be unable to run efficiently and might be burdened by unnecessary running motion, which can lead to pain. The results of this study suggest some possible relationships between certain physical characteristics (e.g., decreased hip inner rotation ROM or hamstrings tightness and increased hip extension ROM or sole arch efficiency) and disability or pain. However, in order to prevent disability, further investigations into the details of the disability/pain and related physical function are necessary. Given the importance of regular physical assessment in obtaining useful information for athletes, we expect continued investigations and measurements in the future.

Keywords: track and field; adolescent; prevention; physical check; running motion.