PROJECT PARTNERS
None
FUNDING
None
BACKGROUND
Running injuries are prevalent and lead to loss of participation and medical care for participants. With the growing number of participants, the absolute numbers of injuries are also increasing, but the increase in participation rates are not in line with the increase in injury rates. Dutch figures show that the novice runners have a relatively higher number of injuries than experienced runners. This higher risk of injury is also seen in the international literature. A few - but not substantiated - explanations have been given. As a result, injury prevention remains sub-optimal for this growing group of athletes.
Recent research from our group has shown that the definition of an injury depends on the context of the individual. This means that the perceived risk factors and preventive strategies are inherently different between levels of experience. This means that athletes from different sports and experience levels view their injuries differently and deal with injuries in a different way.
Perhaps the same applies to runners, where starting runners, due to a lack of experience and a different motivation, view injuries differently than experienced runners. If this is the case then we are not dealing with a difference in injury risk, but with a difference in perception and experience. This would require an inherently different preventive approach between running target groups.
OBJECTIVES
Exploring and describing the context and vision regarding injuries and the prevention of injuries among recreational runners of various levels. We will have a specific focus on:
(1) Vision and perception of what a running injury is;
(2) Perceived risk factors and mechanisms of a running injury; and
(3) Preventive measures implemented and the motivation with regard to the implementation of preventive measures.