Running status and history: A self-report study.

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.