The Role of Leg Stiffness in Prediction of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome in Active People: A Prospective Cohort Study

Medial tibial stress syndrome or shin splints is one of the most common overuse injuries in active people, that its risk factors are unknown. On the other hand, leg stiffness is a modifiable mechanical property that may be related to overuse injury. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of the leg stiffness in the prediction of medial tibial stress syndrome in active people. 80 students in physical education (50 girls and 30 boys) were selected in a convenience manner. Before the start of training sessions, the stiffness of both legs was measured. During the sessions, injured‏ people were examined, and the type of injury registered by the orthopedic physician. At the end of the training sessions, the subjects were divided into two groups of injured and non-injured. The independent t-test was used to compare the leg stiffness between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the role of leg stiffness in the prediction of the occurrence of this syndrome. There was a significant difference in leg stiffness between the two groups (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that injured subjects had a significantly more leg stiffness‏ before the injury compared to‏ non-injured group. So, leg stiffness was a risk factor this syndrome. This study showed that leg stiffness could predict medial tibial stress syndrome or shin splint. So, high leg stiffness may increase the risk of overuse injuries. This research provides important information to the coaches and team doctors about the management of injury and its treatment.