Psychosocial Correlates For Running Related Injuries In Recreational Runners - Preliminary Data

Psychosocial correlates for running related injuries in recreational runners – preliminary data MICHAL SEBERA1, JIRI SKYPALA1, DANIEL JANDACKA1, STERIANI ELAVSKY11University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech RepublicThe occurrence of running related injuries is frequent and is influenced by many factors. Risk factors related to training parameters and biomechanical variables have been described in the literature. Psychosocial risk factors are also emerging, but are still understudied. PURPOSE: To identify psychosocial variables that are associated with the development of running injuries in recreational runners. METHODS: This is a pre-analysis of data from the Healthy Ageing in the Industrial Environment (HAIE) study. HAIE study is a prospective cohort study of N = 1315 individuals aged 18–65 years. Participants were divided into two groups based on physical activity status (active runners vs. Insufficiently active). In this study, only runners were included (N = 729). Participants were screened and complete baseline assessments through online questionnaires and in-person lab-based participants assessments of physiological, biomechanical, neuroimaging and cognitive function parameters. Prospective 12-month intensive monitoring of air pollution and behavioral parameters (PA, inactivity, and sleep) follows, with a focus on running-related injuries and psychological factors through fitness trackers, smartphones, and mobile apps. Descriptive statistics were computed and partial correlations were evaluated for running related injuries and psychosocial factors controlled for age. Variables with statistical significance were grouped according to the COM-B model. Significance was evaluated based on a two tailed test with a critical value set at .05. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 24. RESULTS: 40% (N = 208) of runners sustained an injury during the 1-year follow up. There was significant correlation between running related injuries and neuroticism (r = 0.105, p = 0,04), social support (r = -0.127, p = 0,01), physical self-perception (r = -0.127, p = 0,01). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest that neuroticism, social support and physical self-perception may be identified as risk factors for running related injury and will be subject to further research. This work is from the project, Research of Excellence on Digital Technologies and Wellbeing“ (CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004583) which is co-financed by the European Union. The data are from the project 4HAIE,Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment - Program 4“ (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000798).