Jordaan, Esme RenetteMarais, Jandrevan Rensburg, Audrey Jansen2024-09-122024-09-122024Marais, J.V., Jansen van Rensburg, A., Schwellnus, M.P., Jordaan, E. and Boer, P., 2024. Risk factors associated with a history of iliotibial band syndrome (hITBS) in distance runners: a cross-sectional study in 76 654 race entrants–a SAFER XXXIII study. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, pp.1-11.https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2024.2341607https://hdl.handle.net/10566/16128Background: Despite the numerous health benefits of distance running, it is also associated with the development of ‘gradual onset running-related injuries’ (GORRIs) one of which is Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS). Novel risk factors associated with a history of ITBS (hITBS) have not been described in a large cohort of distance runners. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with hITBS in distance runners. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: 21.1 km and 56 km Two Oceans Marathon races (2012–2015). Participants: 106 743 race entrants completed the online pre-race medical screening questionnaire. A total of 1 314 runners confirmed an accurate hITBS diagnosis. Methods: Selected risk factors associated with hITBS explored included: demographics (race distance, sex, age groups), training/running variables, history of existing chronic diseases (including a composite chronic disease score) and history of any allergy. Prevalence (%) and prevalence ratios (PR; 95% CI) are reported (uni- & multiple regression analyzes). Results: 1.63% entrants reported hITBS in a 12-month period. There was a higher (p < 0.0001) prevalence of hITBS in the longer race distance entrants (56 km), females, younger entrants, fewer years of recreational running (PR = 1.07; p = 0.0009) and faster average running speed (PR = 1.02; p = 0.0066). When adjusted for race distance, sex, age groups, a higher chronic disease composite score (PR = 2.38 times increased risk for every two additional chronic diseases; p < 0.0001) and a history of allergies (PR = 1.9; p < 0.0001) were independent risk factors associated with hITBS.enIliotibial band syndromeDistance runnersRisk factorsChronic diseaseGradual onset running injuryArticle