Differences in foot structure associated with overuse injuries

A recent study by a Mayo Clinic orthopedic researcher and researchers from the Naval Health Research Center and Naval Medical Center sheds some light on factors involved in overuse injuries suffered by people who pursue intense training activities. The study followed 449 Navy Seal recruits through basic training, looking at the relationship between foot structure and overuse injuries. Some results:

One-third of the recruits in the study suffered overuse injuries, including stress fractures, knee injuries (patellofemoral syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome) and Achilles tendonitis.
People with low arches were at significantly higher risk for stress fractures; these subjects had nearly twice as many stress fractures as recruits with average arches.
People with tight calf muscles were more likely to develop Achilles tendon problems.
There was no relationship between knee injuries and foot structure.

Study director Kenton Kaufman, Ph.D., said results of the study help identify high-endurance athletes who may be at increased risk of overuse injuries

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