Machine Learning-Based Risk Identification and Precision Exercise for Common Running Injuries

NCT07689916 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-28
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 204
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to identify biomechanical risk factors associated with common running-related injuries in recreational runners using machine learning analysis. It also aims to evaluate whether a precision exercise intervention based on these risk factors can improve injury-related biomechanical and kinematic outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Which biomechanical features identified by machine learning are associated with the occurrence of common running-related injuries, including medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), patellofemoral pain (PFP), and chronic Achilles tendinopathy? Whether a precision exercise intervention based on these risk factors can improve injury-related biomechanical and kinematic characteristics？ Participants will: Undergo baseline biomechanical assessment during running, including motion capture, ground reaction force, and surface electromyography Be prospectively followed for 6 months to record the occurrence of running-related injuries Be classified into injury groups based on diagnosis, including MTSS, PFP, and chronic Achilles tendinopathy Following the completion of the follow-up period, participants will be allocated to either a precision multidimensional intervention group, a precision exercise intervention group, or a control group. The precision multidimensional intervention group will receive patient education in addition to an 8-week intervention program, including stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback. The precision exercise intervention group will receive the same 8-week intervention program, consisting of stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback. The control group will maintain their habitual physical activity patterns without receiving any additional intervention. Participants will be reassessed after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up using the same biomechanical testing protocol.

Conditions

Running-related Injuries; Patellofemoral Pain, PFP; Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome; Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Incidence of running-related injuries

  Occurrence of running-related injuries during the follow-up period, including medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), patellofemoral pain (PFP), and chronic Achilles tendinopathy, based on predefined clinical diagnostic criteria.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Mechanical Loading of Lower Limb

  Peak mechanical loading of the Achilles tendon, tibia, and patellofemoral joint during running, estimated using musculoskeletal modeling and biomechanical analysis.

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Trunk muscle force

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Hip muscle force

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Thigh muscle force

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Lower Leg Muscle Force

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Foot muscle force

  Through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (3)

Multidimensional Precision Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive an 8-week intervention program based on patient education combined with stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback.

Behavioral: Multidimensional Precision Intervention

Precision Exercise Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive an 8-week precision exercise program including stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback.

Behavioral: Precision Exercise Intervention

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants maintain their usual physical activity and receive no additional intervention during the study period.

Interventions

Multidimensional Precision Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive an 8-week precision exercise program including stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback based on machine learning-identified biomechanical risk factors. In addition, participants receive structured patient education in the multidimensional intervention group.

Multidimensional Precision Intervention Group

Precision Exercise Intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive an 8-week precision exercise program including stretching, strength training, and real-time movement feedback based on biomechanical risk factors identified by machine learning.

Precision Exercise Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male recreational runners (without formal professional training)
• Weekly running distance greater than 10 km
• No history of lower-limb injury within the past 3 months

You may not qualify if:

• Other musculoskeletal or soft-tissue injuries, including arthritis, muscle injury, or meniscal injury
• History of lower-limb surgery
• Regular participation in contact or high-impact sports

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Zeyi Zhang: lead

Study Sites (1)

Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of Ministry of Education, East China Normal University

Shanghai, Minhang District, 200241, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries; Joint Diseases

Study Officials

• Zeyi Zhang

  East China Normal University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)