Injury Issues

For the first time in many years, there are now more women runners than there are men. Despite this change, running footwear is still largely designed and manufactured for male runners. Not taken into consideration is the fact that women have significant injury issues compared to men.

Women have a significantly higher incidence of anterior knee pain (patellofemoral syndrome) than male runners.

injury gluteus medius
Many women have major issues with fit and stability, probably because typically the female foot has a relatively narrower heel:forefoot relationship compared to men. This may lead to gluteus medius (butt) strains.

There is a fundamental difference in the shape and structure of women’s feet compared to men’s feet. This could lead to more iliotibial band (lateral knee) injuries for female runners.

It is believed that higher concentrations of circulating hormones may be a significant factor in ligament injuries in women. The hormone estrogen, which is a soft tissue relaxant, may predispose female athletes to greater ligament damage. As estrogen levels change throughout the month, so does ligament elasticity. This becomes significant to female runners, specifically as the major ligaments in the arch can become flatter and less supportive.

The result of the narrower heel:forefoot relationship can be heel slippage and reduced stability for women who may be wearing downsized men’s shoes. This can cause female runners to have many times more incidences of sacro-iliac (low back) pain as men.