Running Profiles And Their Associated Behaviors

Abstract

PURPOSE: Identifying different runner profiles may improve running-related injuries (RRIs) prevention, education, and management. The aim of this study was to determine Chilean runner’s profiles according to socio-demographic characteristics, motivations, training factors and behaviors associated with running during 2015-2016. METHODS: An email and web-based online cross-sectional survey were conducted. Runners from six different competitions and other running circuits were recruited. The survey collected information on 6 dimensions: (1)socio-demographics; (2)health; (3)motivations; (4)training factors; (5)behaviors associated with running; and (6)beliefs and perceptions. Profiles’ construction was performed through a two-step cluster analysis using Bayesian Information Criterion and linear discriminant analysis to correctly assess subject classification. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS22 with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: A total of 821 runners (46% females), aged 36.6 (±10.0) years were analyzed. Cluster analysis allowed the generation of 4 groups (n=752) according to years-of-running-experience, volume (km/week) and hours of training (hrs/week). Main variable for runners’ classification was years-of-running-experience: “Beginner”(n=163); “Basic”(n=164); “Intermediate”(n=160); and “Advanced”(n=265). Statistically significant (p<0.05) and clinically relevant variables among the 4 groups were: sex, age, years-of-running-experience, training factors, previous injury(PI) and technological implements used for running practice. Beginners were mainly females (63.2%), aged 28.5 (±8.4) years, having less than 1 year-of-running-experience, 32.5% reported PI, and accumulated a training volume of 18.3 (±12.7) km/week. Advanced runners were mainly males (65.3%), aged 37.4 (±10.9) years, 63.4% with more than 7 years-of-running-experience, 44.2% reported to have PI and accumulated a training volume of 38.2 (±20.8) km/week. CONCLUSION: Advanced runners accumulate greater training load per week, were older, and with higher PI proportions when compared with Beginners. Future work should include a differentiated classification of runners, in order to identify clinically specific risk factors related to running injuries.