Thuany, MablinyVieira, DouglasViljoen, Carel ThomasWeiss, KatjaKnechtle, BeatGomes, Thayse Natacha2025-07-032025-07-032025Mabliny Thuany, Douglas Vieira, Carel Viljoen, Katja Weiss, Beat Knechtle & Thayse Natacha Gomes (2025) Using complex systems to understand running-related injuries, Research in Sports Medicine, 33:1, 97-106, DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2024.2428597.1543-8627 (print)1543-8635 (online)10.1080/15438627.2024.2428597http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103146This study aims to investigate anthropometric and training characteristics associated with injuries in runners using a complex approach. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 97 Brazilian runners of both sexes (age: 39.1 ± 11.5 years; body mass index: 24.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2). A web survey was used for data collection, including age, sex, body weight, body height, training volume/frequency, session duration, running pace and injury information (yes or no; the number of injuries). The partial correlation parameter was used for network estimation, considering both sexes. For women, injury occurrence was positively and strongly associated with training frequency (r = 0.57) and the number of competitions (r = 0.64), while for men, a negative and strong association was found with age (r=-0.69), and positive associations were observed with BMI (r = 0.89) and training volume (r = 0.82). Network centrality showed that training session duration and the number of competitions/year presented a higher expected influence value for women (−1.47) and men (−1.31). Using a non-linear approach with Brazilian non-professional runners, training characteristics had a stronger influence on running-related injuries.en© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).InjuriesExerciseTrainingEnduranceArticle