A Prospective Design Identifying Etiological Risk Factors Associated with MTSS and Stress Fractures in Female Intercollegiate Athletes.

• Main Author: Blackburn, Michael H
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2002
• Subjects: Prospective Design; Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome; Shin Splints; Stress Fractures; Etiology; Kinesiology; Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/675; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1832&context=etd

The identification of risk factors associated with overuse injuries, specifically Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) and Tibial Stress Fractures (TSF), may help professionals with management and prevention of these injuries. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with MTSS and TSF in female intercollegiate athletes. This study used a mulitifactorial, prospective design for 13-26 weeks. Thirty-nine Division I intercollegiate female student-athletes in volleyball, soccer, and track were examined. Anatomical, physiological (eating disorder and menstrual history), and training (duration and recovery time) characteristics were examined as possible risk factors. Only two injuries were reported during the study; therefore, analysis for risk factors was not possible. Descriptive statistics for the dependent variables were calculated, and comparisons across sport were performed. Differences in leg length values and dorsiflexion ROM were observed across sports. No conclusions could be drawn regarding possible risk factors for MTSS and TSF in this population.