Running status and history: A self-report study

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare injury and running history among current and former runners who consider themselves either injured or uninjured.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Online survey, available to any individuals over the age of 18 who currently run (runners) or who once ran regularly but are no longer running (former runners).

Participants: 312 participants (age 38 ± 12 years, 219 males, 89 females, 4 did not disclose) completed the survey.

Main outcome measures: This study assessed injury incidence, consequences of injury such as time off, and reported injury diagnoses and treatments. Chi-square and frequency analyses were calculated to describe running status, injury counts, and response to injury.

Results: Most participants (80%) reported 1 + running injury. 775 total injuries were reported. The four most common injuries were iliotibial band syndrome (34%), plantar fasciitis (30%), strained thigh/hip muscle (25%), and medial tibial stress syndrome (22%). About 40% of participants continued to run with these injuries.

Conclusions: Injury frequencies (80%) agreed with those reported in the literature. The results of this study also support the notion that running injuries exist on a continuum of severity and that the individual response to injury is complex and determined by various factors.

Keywords: Former runners; Injury response; Injury survey; Running injuries.