Parents who run with a stroller have lower risk of overuse injury
Anyone who has run while pushing a stroller knows stroller running can feel cumbersome and hard on the body. But does it increase the risk of injury? According to a new study from researchers at Penn State Berks, the answer appears to be no.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Penn State Berks has found that parents who run while pushing a stroller have a lower risk of overuse injuries compared to those who run without a stroller. The study, published in the journal PLOS One, revealed that parents who ran with a stroller experienced a 55% lower injury rate per 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) run during the first three years after becoming a parent.
The researchers attribute this lower injury risk to the biomechanical changes that occur when running with a stroller, such as shorter strides, leaning forward, and running at a slower pace. These adjustments in running form may help reduce stress on weight-bearing joints, thereby preventing injuries. The study analyzed data from 196 stroller-running parents and 53 non-stroller-running parents, finding that 30% of the non-stroller runners reported overuse injuries, while only 19% of the stroller-running parents did so.
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