Parents May Have Accidentally Found a Way to Reduce Running Injuries
The senior author of the study told Newsweek parents may gain an unexpected biomechanical advantage while running.
A study published in PLOS One suggests that parents who run with a stroller may be reducing their risk of overuse injuries compared to those who do not. Researchers found that stroller runners were 58% less likely to experience overuse injuries and had 55% lower injury rates per 1,000 miles run. Surveying 255 runners with children aged 0 to 3, the study compared those who incorporated stroller running with those who did not.
The authors theorize that the biomechanics of stroller running, such as a more flexed posture and forward lean, distribute forces more evenly through the body, potentially alleviating stress on joints and tissues. Pushing down on the stroller handlebars may also help transfer some force away from the legs. The research builds on previous findings about stroller running reducing impact loading, a factor linked to common running injuries.
While the study cannot definitively prove that stroller running directly prevents injuries, it offers reassurance to parents looking to maintain their fitness during the demanding years of raising a young child.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
