What Are the Factors that Most Contribute to Running-Related Injuries?

A study in Sports Health identified several factors that increased risk of running-related injury in recreational runners, a population challenged by these types of injuries. The authors acknowledged that physical and psychological factors contribute, but that the mental components are likely not well-studied.¹ They began their prospective cohort study with a hypothesis that perfectionism, passion, and mental toughness would emerge as predictors for running-related injury risk in this population.

Over three-quarters of the 143 recreational runners included answered an online questionnaire. Their average age was 35 years, and 37% were females. This survey gathered data on demographics, running behavior, psychological metrics, and history of sports injuries. They then documented running-related injuries for 6 months on a biweekly basis.¹

The authors found 5.16 injury rate per 1000 hours of running.¹ The lower extremity was most commonly involved, including the knee (26.4%), foot (18.9%), and lower leg (13.2%). In total, they concluded that perfectionistic concerns, higher obsessive passion for running, history of previous running-related injury, weekly running distance, and both pronated and supinated foot types contributed to this injury rate. Conversely, adherence to a running scheduled revealed a potentially protective impact.

Reference

1. Naderi A, Alizadeh N, Calmeiro L, Degens H. Predictors of Running-Related Injury Among Recreational Runners: A Prospective Cohort Study of the Role of Perfectionism, Mental Toughness, and Passion in Running. Sports Health. 2024 Feb 4:19417381231223475.