Fat intake and injury in female runners

Kristen E Gerlach¹ , Harold W Burton² , Joan M Dorn³ , John J Leddy⁴ and Peter J Horvath²

¹Department of Physical Therapy, The College of St. Catherine, Minneapolis, MN, USA

²Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

³Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

⁴Department of Orthopaedics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

author email corresponding author email

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2008, 5:1doi:10.1186/1550-2783-5-1


Published:	3 January 2008

Abstract

Background

Our purpose was to determine the relationship between energy intake, energy availability, dietary fat and lower extremity injury in adult female runners. We hypothesized that runners who develop overuse running-related injuries have lower energy intakes, lower energy availability and lower fat intake compared to non-injured runners.

Methods

Eighty-six female subjects, running a minimum of 20 miles/week, completed a food frequency questionnaire and informed us about injury incidence over the next year.

Results

Injured runners had significantly lower intakes of total fat (63 ± 20 vs. 80 ± 50 g/d) and percentage of kilocalories from fat (27 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 8 %) compared with non-injured runners. A logistic regression analysis found that fat intake was the best dietary predictor, correctly identifying 64% of future injuries. Lower energy intake and lower energy availability approached, but did not reach, a significant association with overuse injury in this study.

Conclusion

Fat intake is likely associated with injury risk in female runners. By documenting these associations, better strategies can be developed to reduce running injuries in women.