What Equipment Causes Running Injuries?

Take your pick

Now that we are nearing the end of the year, I am seeing more runners who are preparing for the Singapore Stan Chart Marathon. Most of them are not seriously injured, just having slight niggles and wanting to fine tune their legs now that they're tapering before the race.

Others come in to discuss pacing strategies, nutritional needs during the race or whether they should be taping their muscles and joints to run more efficiently.

I came across this interesting research paper earlier this week about how running equipment that you use can predict injury in adult runners. In that study, the authors set out to investigate if runners who are using equipment while running have a higher chance of sustaining  running related injuries (RRI) compared with runners not using running equipment.

Running equipment in this study refers to insoles, ankle and knee tapes, ankle and knee braces, compression garments, jogging/ running strollers and backpack.

7347 adult runners were followed for 18 months in that study. The runners were categorized into groups that were using multiple types of equipment or expressing uncertainty about use.

51 percent (or 3713) of the runners studied sustained a RRI. The researchers found that runners who were using knee braces, knee or ankle tapes, compression socks, insoles or multiple items had higher injury rates. 

Running stroller users however were less likely to get injured. There were no meaningful associations found for ankle braces, backpacks or users uncertain about use.

The researchers concluded that certain running equipment may mean higher susceptibility to injury rather than preventing it. Running equipment should not be assumed to be protective without individual assessment or professional guidance.

This study surprisingly showed that using different types of braces and strapping did not help decrease susceptibility to running injuries. Some previous research have shown that knee braces or custom made insoles may help prevent or alleviate knee pain, ankle sprains and shin splints. Other research found that runners using insoles had nearly double the odds of RRIs compared to those not using them.

However these findings often vary due to different study designs, participant groups and types of injuries addressed. 

Perhaps a lot of new runners use them after seeing online influencers tout different types of running equipment and supplements that may help one run faster or prevent injuries. Naturally, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding the use of different types of running equipment.

It will be better for runners who are having niggles or mild running injuries to get treated for underlying training or biomechanical issues instead of using selected equipment (like tapes and braces) to prevent injuries. 

I personally think that runners using self prescribed equipment like tapes and braces may already have seen a healthcare professional for their existing pain and injuries and are using them to tide them through the recovery period to allow them to train. I have patients who have recovered from running injuries but will still tape themselves to "prevent" re-injury or simply for placebo effects.

Yes, using equipment may worsen existing problems rather than offering protection so please get a healthcare professional who can evaluate and treat the cause of your running injury or pain. That would be more effective.

Reference

Pedersen MK, Rasmussen FK, Lindman I et al (2025). Use Of Running Equipment Predicts Running-Related Injury in Adult Runners: A Cohort Study Of 7347 Runners From The Garmin-RUNSAFR Running Health Study. Trans Sp Med. 6630254. DOI: 10.1155/tsm2/6630254